Rep. Winfred Dukes confirms another run for Georgia House minority leader

ALBANY — State Rep. Winfred Dukes, D-Albany, confirmed Wednesday he will seek the the House leadership position currently held by Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, who recently filed paperwork to run for governor in the 2018 mid-term election.

Abrams will have to give up her leadership position in a bid to seek the seat currently held by Gov. Nathan Deal. That will reopen the door for Dukes’ quest to become the state’s top Democrat.

Dukes confirmed his intent to run at an Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Appreciation Luncheon. When asked if he was ready to take another shot at the position, Dukes replied, “Absolutely.”

This will be Dukes’ second effort at the leadership position. In November of last year, he narrowly lost the caucus vote to Abrams.

“Most of the reasons (for seeking the position) are the same as I stated when I ran in November, but this time is different in that our caucus needs new leadership now,” Dukes said. “We need leadership and the experience to get the right people in place. We need to step up with a voice for Southwest Georgia, otherwise we are going to dry up on a dime.

“We need to focus on an agenda down here to help make this state a more progressive one. One where we provide enhanced education for all our children, we provide healthcare for all of the people of this state and to make all included in every opportunity provided to the people of Georgia.”

Abrams has served as House Minority Leader for the past seven years. Dukes has been in the House for 11 years, first representing District 150 and now District 154.

Dukes spoke at the chamber function along with state Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, D-Dawson, and Reps. Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert, Ed Rynders, D-Leesburg, and Darryl Ealum, D-Albany. The lawmakers discussed various issues that came up during the recently concluded general legislative session.

Most of the conversation revolved around the state’s FY 2018 budget, education and $4.9 million in funding for Albany Technical College’s Carlton Construction Academy. All members of the local delegation said finding the last-minute funding for Albany Tech took a team effort.

Sims led off the session by discussing the state’s $25 billion budget, which includes raises or bonuses for state employees.

“You will also find $2 billion for new schools (including a new K-12 school in Calhoun County), college buildings, roads and bridges,” she said. “Doctors, dentists and health care workers who house the more than 1.5 million Georgians who depend on Medicaid for their health care will be paid more for the services they provide. We have $2.2 million in turnaround money for failing local schools.

“And Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle appropriated $15,000 for Dougherty County schools to plan and develop a project with Americorps that supports elementary-level reading and math. Chris Hatcher with the college and career academy will implement this program. It’s the first of its kind in the state of Georgia.”

Greene then stepped up to the mic.

“It was the worst of times; it was the worst of times,” Greene said. “I think during the last session, people had a lot of questions about rural Georgia. Rural Georgia has been on the mind of individuals for quite some time. Our delegation has tried through the years to focus on what would be of great value to Southwest Georgia and to the rural areas as well — and that’s throughout the state.

“As we well know, agriculture is our biggest business. And right behind that is another big business, and that is tourism, which will generate $61 billion for the state this year. And we as a region need to continue to cash in on that.”

Prior to announcing his intent to run for the House Minority leadership, Dukes pointed to the diversity of Albany’s local delegation.

“I think this is the 21st year I’ve had an opportunity to be a part of what we have done on your behalf at the state capitol,” Dukes said. “We had a very good session here this year. The people you have sent to Atlanta to represent this area of the state have really worked tirelessly together to try and see if we can do the things that are in the best interest of our community.

“Think about what this community sends to Atlanta. It is a very, very diverse group of individuals. We are in every room in Atlanta, so when our interests are brought up and when Albany comes to the table, there is always someone there in that group to advocate on behalf of south Georgia and Albany. We have done some great things this year.”

Rynders agreed with his House colleague.

“I’m not going to recap all of the legislative highlights, but I’d like to point a few things out,” Rynders said. “First, I’d like to thank Speaker (David) Ralston for helping establish the Rural Economic Development Counsel. That is not your standard study committee. Rep. Ealum sits on a Military Affairs Committee which is also not a standard study committee. The work is ongoing because the speaker takes these issues seriously — which is saving our military bases and doing something about rural economic development.

“This is not a money ask, this is about developing policies which will create jobs and improve education in rural Georgia.”

Ealum, who had the first bill he sponsored signed by the governor earlier this week, also praised the teamwork of the local delegation.

“Working with this team is awesome,” Ealum said. “We truly worked together this past session. We work closely, almost never a harsh word, never a misunderstanding, just a lot of wrapping our arms around each other. It was a very successful session for us. Being named to the Military Affairs group is the part of the session I am most proud of, and I am so grateful to the governor for naming me.”