Tommie Postell formally kicks off re-election campaign

ALBANY — Promising to work for “all of Albany,” incumbent Ward VI Albany City Commissioner Tommie Postell officially kicked off his re-election campaign at the downtown Government Center this morning.

Postell, whose re-election plans were revealed in an April 14 Albany Herald article, said he wanted to continue his work on the city’s behalf with “the best group of commissioners I’ve been associated with.”

The retired educator will seek his fourth term in office.

“I’ve talked with other commissioners, and there’s a feeling that we need to stay joined together in our efforts to improve the city of Albany,” Postell said. “The constituents of Ward VI are the ones who will decide who they want to represent them, but I believe we’ve made tremendous strides in the 12 years I’ve served on the commission.

“We’ve got the Water, Gas & Light Commission (Albany Utility Board) and Chehaw Park in line, and we’re working to make improvements with the Westover Road extension and downtown redevelopment. The six city commissioners and mayor have moved the city forward by working together, and we have a superb leader now in Mrs. (City Manager Sharon) Subadan. I’m seeking another term so that we can keep things going.”

Among the supporters who were on hand for Postell’s announcement Wednesday were fellow City Commissioner Jon Howard, retired Albany State University football coach Hamp Smith, Apostle Felix Revills, the Rev. Daniel Simmons, and retired educator Commodore Conyers.

“One of the things I want everyone to know is that I trust Tommie Postell,” Smith said. “He’s the balance on our City Commission, a man that you can count on. And while he represents the people of Ward VI, he works for all of the people of Dougherty County.”

Simmons said Postell had earned the people of Albany’s trust.

“Government is supposed to be of the people and for the people,” the pastor said. “Brother Postell has proven that he lives by that principle.”

Postell, 82, said he’s heard rumblings that Kowanna McKinney, whom he defeated four years ago, might challenge again for the Ward VI seat.

“I’d never try to deny anyone that privilege, but the bottom line is it’s up to the constituents,” the incumbent commissioner said. “I will say that, once I decide to go out of office, I would like to see her go in. She’s very informed. But I will say that I have a large following in our ward.”

Postell told the 20 or so supporters who gathered for the announcement, “This campaign to re-elect Tommie Postell starts today, and it won’t end until Nov. 3.”

Postell joins incumbent Mayor Dorothy Hubbard and mayoral challenger Tracy Taylor as formally announced candidates for the Nov. 3 municipal election. Ward 1 Commissioner Howard and Ward IV’s Roger Marietta also confirmed in the April 14 Herald article that they will seek re-election to the commission.

No challenger has officially emerged for Postell or Howard, but businessman Chad Warbington is expected to challenge Marietta for his seat on the board.

Nonpartisan qualifying for the mayor’s office and the commission’s wards I, IV and VI seats will be held Aug. 31-Sept. 4.