Democrat DuBose Porter joins race for governor

House Minority Leader DuBose Porter on Monday became the third Democrat in what is rapidly becoming a crowded field to replace Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2010.

Porter made the announcement from his hometown of Dublin on the first weekday after the end of the 2009 session.

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House Minority Leader DuBose Porter is the third Democrat to join the field to be Georgia’s next governor.

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“This year’s lack of leadership on transportation and personal grabs for power at the expense of the people convinced me to throw my hat into the ring,” said Porter. “Georgia deserves a governor who cares more about people than power.”

Porter, a lawyer and newspaper editor, has been the most vocal of Democrats opposing Republican rule since it began after Perdue was elected in 2002. Porter has particularly criticized Republicans for annual cuts in the funding formula for Georgia’s public schools.

Attorney General Thurbert Baker announced last week he would run for governor as a Democrat. Democrat former Adjutant General David Poythress has been in the race since last year.

On the Republican side, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Karen Handel and Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton) are running.

Libertarian John Monds also is in the running.