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Leaders endorse Sims

• Several leading Albanians throw their support behind Freddie Powell Sims’ state Senate bid Tuesday.

Joshua Brown

ALBANY — About 30 leading Southwest Georgians were on hand Tuesday morning to support — and endorse — State Rep. Freddie Powell Sims as she formally announced that she was running for the State Senate seat being vacated by Michael Meyer von Bremen.

Sims first confirmed she was running for the District 12 Senate seat in Saturday’s edition of The Albany Herald.

Among her supporters at the announcement Tuesday were Albany Mayor Willie Adams, Dougherty District Attorney Ken Hodges, City Commissioner Jon Howard and State Rep. Gerald Greene.

Though none of them formally endorsed Sims’ candidacy during the event, several of them said in interviews afterward that they were endorsing her.

“She has my endorsement, and I’m going to work to see that she has other endorsements in the area,” Greene, D-Cuthbert, said after the event. “I’ve just been real impressed with Freddie.”

Sims faces former State Rep. John White in the Democratic race for the District 12 seat, which covers seven whole counties and part of another.

Hodges, who had considered a run at the seat himself, said he was excited about seeing Sims run for the Senate seat.

“She is a proven leader,” he said. “She has been in the legislature for two terms now, and she has accomplished much during those terms, unlike her opponent, who didn’t do much (during his time in office).”

Hodges said he was prepared to do “whatever she wants” to support Sims’ candidacy.

“I’m fully supporting her, I’m fully committed to her,” he said. “I’ll give her whatever she wants in the form of support. I’ll give her money, I’ll raise money for her. ... I’ll work hard in the fields and I’ll work the phones and she’s certainly got my vote, without question.”

Adams said Tuesday afternoon that he was throwing his political weight behind Sims as well.

“I’m formally endorsing her and supporting her,” he said. “She’s committed to community and state services. She’s a lady with integrity, somebody you can trust to represent the people and not to make decisions based on things that are going to benefit her.”

Sims said Tuesday she was running on a platform of tax relief for property owners, health care and education reform and economic development. Because she’s had to work with state senators in the past, she said she’s already built working relationships with many of them, which should help her transition into the smaller body of the Legislature.

Meyer von Bremen, D-Albany, said he could not comment on the race because he was running for the Court of Appeals, which puts restraints on its candidates after they announce their intention to run.

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