Rep. Dawnna Dukes
State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, entered not guilty pleas to abuse-of-office charges Friday in Travis County district court.
The 12-term lawmaker pleaded not guilty to tampering with a governmental record and abuse of official capacity by a public servant. Judge Brad Urrutia on Friday set a trial date of Oct. 16.
Dukes told reporters outside the court room: “Why accept a plea when I didn’t do what they are alleging?”
“No one has heard all of the evidence and heard my side,” Dukes said. “There’s been a barrage of print media that has attempted to try me in the court of public opinion, yet the court and the proceedings have not begun and when they do, my attorney will tell the full story, the whole story and show that unequivocally I am not guilty of these charges.”
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Dukes has faced criticism for missing votes and being absent from the House floor. She was not in attendance when the House voted on the final budget.
When asked if she was going to run for re-election, Dukes said: “That is a very strong possibility.”
See here and here for the background. Dukes is entitled to her day in court, and she’s innocent until proven guilty, but she’s been a replacement level legislator for a long time. One way or another, this needs to be her last term.
If she’s replacement level, what is below replacement level for a Democrat? Eddie Lucio? Al Edwards? Ron Reynolds? Ron Wilson?