Local & State Headlines

Freddie Powell Sims has big lead in Senate District 12 race

• The state representative’s lead Tuesday in the Senate District 12 race is not large enough to guarantee victory.

Carlton Fletcher

ALBANY — As election results trickled in, their political fates hanging in the balance, the two competitors in the District 12 Senate race were a study of contrasts Tuesday evening.

State Rep. Freddie Powell Sims, who held a too-close-to-call 2,100-vote lead late Tuesday, waited anxiously for vote totals to change at her headquarters, the Shoreham Apartments clubhouse on Dawson Road. Her challenger, John White, calmly chatted with supporters at his Oglethorpe Boulevard headquarters.

“Part of being an elected official is realizing that people always want a ‘yes’ answer,” Sims said. “But the reality is that no one can promise voters that they can do this or do that. What you have to do is promise that when you get (into office), you’ll work hard to do what it takes to meet the needs of your constituents.

“That’s the message I’ve tried to get out during this campaign. I want to work with that group (at the Capitol) that can bring economic development to this region. And I’ll work hard to do that when I go to Atlanta as state Senator.”

White, meanwhile, continued to promise to bring jobs to the voters he met during the campaign.

“Over in Georgetown, in Terrell County, in Baker County ... the people tell me the No. 1 need is employment,” White said. “I was humbled by the great reception I got from people throughout the district, and I have given these people my word that as their senator I will do everything I can to bring jobs here.”

With 66 of 80 precincts reporting, the Secretary of State’s office showed Sims with 11,463 votes to White’s 9,362, a 55 percent-45 percent lead. The totals in Dougherty County, with 29 of 30 precincts reporting, showed Sims with a 9,142-6,555 lead.

Sims said she is ready to move forward with her life, no matter what the election outcome brings.

“I always have a Plan B,” she said. “If the people decide I’m not the right choice for this job, I’ll accept it and move on. I’ve had four good years (as state representative) and I’m at peace.”

White, meanwhile, said he hadn’t had an opportunity to consider losing the election.

“That just hasn’t entered my thoughts,” he said. “If it happens, I’ll make some adjustments, pay some bills and do something different.”

The winner of the Deomcratic Primary will fill the shoes of 10-year District 12 state Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen, D-Albany, who elected to vacate the office to seek a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Sims served two terms in the state House as the District 151 representative before vacating that seat to run for the Senate. White had served 22 years in the state House (1975-97) before giving up his seat for unsuccessful Senate bids.

Both candidates are retired educators.

More Headlines>>