[November 18, 2009] Dukes changes his mind: Former mayor wants to continue serving as District 8 representative in Legislature Tweet MONTGOMERY, Nov 18, 2009 (The Decatur Daily - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The oldest and one of the longest-serving members of the Alabama House of Representatives said Tuesday that he isn't ready to take off his campaign running shoes after all. Rep. Bill Dukes, D-Decatur, announced with a handwritten statement delivered to The Daily on Sept. 11 that he would not run again. But he said after thinking about the needs of his district, he wants to continue in Alabama House District 8 seat that serves part of Decatur and Morgan County. "I am not ready for retirement," Dukes said by phone from his post ringing a bell at a Salvation Army donation station Tuesday. "I am very active and healthy, and I decided that retirement is just not for Bill Dukes." Dukes, a Democrat whose political career spans more than four decades, has held the District 8 seat since 1994. In past races he ran unopposed, but even if he has no opponent in the Democratic primary, he will face Republican opposition in 2010. Jason Putnam has announced for the seat in the Republican primary. "I welcome Democrat Bill Dukes back into the race," Putnam said Tuesday evening. "I'm glad and excited he's running. I look forward to the whole election process. "It's clear to say the Democratic Party is doing everything it can to hang on to its majority in the state House of Representatives," Putnam said. Dukes said he re-assessed his earlier decision to step down when he realized his district needs strong leadership and experience that he can provide to deal with the challenges ahead. The economy, the need for expanded job opportunities, education and health-care concerns will be among the biggest issues in the next four years, he said. At 82, Dukes is the oldest serving member of the state House, with a birthday three weeks before Speaker Pro Tempore Demetrius Newton, D-Birmingham. Rep. Jody Letson, D-Hillsboro, who traveled to Montgomery with Dukes for many years, said he's happy Dukes reconsidered. "That's great," he said. "Politics is his life. I felt like Morgan County and Decatur would suffer without him." Dukes' first foray into politics was in 1968 when he was elected to Decatur City Council. He won the 1975 Decatur mayoral race and served from 1976 to 1994. In the House, Dukes is chairman of the House County and Municipal Government Committee and is a member of the commerce committee. He is also a member of the personnel committee of the House Legislative Council that oversees operations and staff of the House. GOP candidate Putman is a Morgan County native whom Gov. Bob Riley appointed to the board that oversees Robotics Technology Park. He is vice president of operations and development at Pro-Air Services in Decatur. Putnam said his No. 1 issue is improving the state's education system. He said it's important that the state use the best practices in education and be willing to make effective changes. He said he doesn't think the Democratic majority can accomplish that goal. "Alabama has been in the bottom 10 percent in education for 100 years, and the Democrats have been in control all of this time," Putnam said. Putnam emphasized that he is a newcomer who hasn't been a part of the state Legislature's political machine. He said another issue in the campaign is ethics reform. He wants to look at limiting the amount lobbyists can spend on legislators and compare it to what's allowed in the real world. "I think it's okay to take someone to lunch," Putnam said. "But we're limited to spending $50 on a client. If we spend more, we have to formally document why." Staff writer Bayne Hughes contributed to this story. To see more of The Decatur Daily, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.decaturdaily.com Copyright (c) 2009, The Decatur Daily, Ala. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]