Winfred Dukes challenges Stacey Abrams for Georgia House minority leader

ALBANY — State Rep. Winfred Dukes, D-Albany, is challenging House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, D-Atlanta, for leadership of the Georgia House Democratic caucus.

Dukes filed his paperwork with the caucus office Saturday. Abrams scheduled a vote of the membership at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The voting is by secret ballot.

“We need different leadership and the experience to get the right people in place,” Dukes said.”We need to step up with a voice for Southwest Georgia, otherwise we are going to dry up on a dime.”

Dukes pointed out the recent House races on which Democrats focused on three races against what they saw as vulnerable Republicans, winning one seat and losing two. One of those two Democratic losses came in an attempt to unseat state Rep. Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert, who also is a member of the Dougherty County House delegation.

“We spent $1 million to gain one seat,” Dukes said. “That is unacceptable.”

In his letter of intent with the caucus, Dukes said, “These past six years have been rough to say the least. This week’s election results demonstrated the culmination of an ongoing lack of transparency, diversity and inclusion — these elements are essential in order to have a successful caucus. We suffered a loss and our losses were great. To put it any other way would be disingenuous.”

Abrams has served as House Minority Leader for the past six years. Dukes has been in the House for 10 years, first representing District 150 and now District 154.

Results from the caucus were not available at press time.