Tracy Taylor highlights community involvement in seeking District 12 state Senate seat

ALBANY – As a first responder and candidate for office in several political contests in the Albany area, Tracy Taylor has had his fingers on the pulse of the community for years. In 2026, the Albany firefighter is one of three Democratic candidates seeking to replace incumbent Freddie Powell Sims in state Senate District 12.

A former chairman of the Dougherty County Republican Party and former president of the Dougherty County Branch of the NAACP, the candidate describes himself as a conservative Democrat. 

Some of his platform also has a libertarian flavor, such as his zeal for criminal justice reform and call to decriminalize marijuana possession.

As one of three remaining Democrats in the race, Taylor, who ran in District 12 in 2020, said that he is seeking to emulate the tenacity of a mentor of his, Gerald Greene, a Cuthbert Republican who is seeking re-election to state House District 154. Greene had several losses before being elected in 1982 and is now the longest-serving member of the Georgia House of Representatives.

He also describes U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, as a mentor and said his work with both parties will enable him to work across the aisle on issues important to southwest Georgia.

The race was turned upside down when incumbent Sims withdrew due to the illness and death of her husband and announced her retirement earlier this year. That leaves Taylor, Albany businessman Edward Brown and Camilla City Council member Corey Morgan in the race.

In his roles in the community, Taylor said that he has seen the impact of the criminal justice system, particularly for minor marijuana crimes. The decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana would be a good place to start, he said. 

“I feel like it’s a hindrance to a lot of citizens, especially African American citizens who are trying to get back into the work force (who are) dealing with low-grade marijuana cases,” he said. “I feel like we can start adjusting the laws and assist these citizens to get back into the work force.

“As a state senator, I want to work with the incoming governor to try to do something as far as state laws when it comes to criminal justice.”

As the husband of an educator and father of four children, the candidate said he views education as another key component in ensuring that the area’s residents are able to retain jobs and advance economically.

The COVID-19 pandemic put the shortage of nurses on display, Taylor said, and individuals are needed in medical professions as well as other professions. Taylor said he and the late Albany Technical College President Anthony Parker had conversations about the issue before Parker’s death.

“I want to see an initiative to help build up a reliable and skilled workforce in our state by funding in District 12 for Albany Technical College, Albany State University and Georgia Southwestern University and the 4C (Commodore Conyers College and Career) Academy,” he said. “I want to continue to build on(Parker’s) legacy.”

Seeing that teachers like his wife have to at times provide pencils and paper to students, Taylor said the state should provide more assistance to students and schools.

“My wife and I talk about this a lot,” he said. “I think the state can offer vouchers to defray those personal costs. We need state funding for after-school programs for kids who need additional schooling and recreation.”

Another initiative Taylor would like to undertake is bringing the cities and counties in the region together to work on economic development as a team rather than as competitors.

“I can use that position to be a strong advocate for industry and showcase the cities they potentially want to locate to,” the candidate said. “I would get with local mayors and bring them to the table to see if they can offer utility incentives or property tax incentives to bring (industry) here to hire from within our communities.”

Taylor also pointed to his tenacity in reviving the NAACP in the county, including training with national and state officials to bring the Dougherty County branch back in compliance.

“The NAACP has so much rich history in Dougherty County,” he said. “That is my way of paying homage to the citizens and to the past and present.”

Taylor has also previously served as vice chairman of the Albany Community Development Council.

“People in this community know who I am from my works,” Taylor said. “They know I’m a firefighter and know I have been serving people as a firefighter. Being a first responder has been a calling to help people in distress, to save lives and to protect property.

“At the end of the day, people know I’m going to show up and I’m going to fight for Dougherty County and southwest Georgia to be on the agenda.”