So while he was a national figure, [an] international figure he was a mentor and a friend to me. We're often told that we need to go to mainstream institutions to get to be relevant in our society. Welcome to The Hills Campaign Report, your daily rundown on all the latest news in the 2020 presidential, Senate and House races. Mainors decision and some of her legislative actions are also driven by a much more personal dispute. History Georgia Democrat Mesha Mainor, at odds with her party, switches to Several protesters were arrested then, including Williams. The instant front-runner to win the seat John Lewis held for nearly 34 years . Congresswoman Nikema Williams on Twitter In picking Williams, Democrats elected a protege of Abrams who has a similar approach: An intense focus on targeting voters often ignored by politicians, an embrace of liberal policies and a knack for taking the fight to the GOP. FILE-In this Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 file photo, Tom Perez, left, chair of the Democratic National Committee, and Nikema Williams, chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, speak with reporters, in Atlanta. Nikema Williams: Georgia state senator picked to replace the - CNN Most recently, Nikema was named one the Women of Influence for 2011 by the Atlanta Business League. Im excited to be coming into the party now where things are on the upswing. Georgia Democratic Party chair Nikema Williams, also a state senator, will replace the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) on the ballot in November. Georgia Democrats look forward to electing a strong Democrat next year in H.D. Georgia Democrats have selected state Sen. Nikema Williams, chair of the state party, to replace Rep. John Lewis on the ballot in November. Nikema Williams to replace John Lewis on November ballot - UPI "I know that my voice is needed in Congress. And so this is a powerful moment for our Black institutions," Williams said. I know that there's still work to be done to live up to John Lewis' legacy and continue fighting for voting rights, fighting for fair and free elections. The two have a 3-year-old son, Carter, who she said has likely been to as many Democratic Party meetings as some state committee members. AJC: Georgia Democrats pick a new leader after setting a new course Blue-District Georgia State Rep. Mesha Mainor Blasts Dems - BET Whichever candidate wins the November election will become the first woman to represent Georgias 5th District in nearly 75 years and the first Black woman to do so. Williams said a first order of business is to grow the partys grassroots network as they gear up for the U.S Senate and presidential elections next year. Nikema Williams | Congress.gov | Library of Congress Heres what were watchingtoday on the campaign trail. ABC News has projected Williams' win in a landslide victory against her Republican challenger Angela Stanton-King. Since her election to represent Georgia's 39th Senate District, she has spent her time fighting for working families, voting rights, fair representation and much more. With the nomination decided, Williams is almost certain to win Lewiss old seat in November. As President, she organized and advanced the interests of her Freshmen Democratic colleagues to fulfill their oath to work for the people. Georgia State Senator Nikema Williams speaks at a rally in Dekalb County, Ga., at a rally in support of Joe Biden's campaign during the first day of early voting in the state, Oct. 12, 2020. 100 Peachtree Street Northwest. Nikema Williams (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Georgia's 5th Congressional District.She assumed office on January 3, 2021. Top Democrats Send Letter on Possible Foreign Meddling in November Did someone forward this to you? Rep. Mesha Mainor becomes the only Black member of the GOP among Georgias 236 state lawmakers, and the first Black Republican woman to ever serve in the Georgia General Assembly. Earlier this year, McLaurin tweeted a picture of a $1,000 check available to anyone who would run against Mainor in the next Democratic primary. Political Director Young Democrats Of Georgia . This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Williams was born on July 30, 1978, in Columbus, Georgia. Shell have the Census, the presidential election, and, on the end of the four-year term, shell have another gubernatorial election, she said. In the News: Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Nikema Williams is Ready She was one of 15 arrested during the protest. Nikema Williams will not only become the first woman to serve as a representative in Georgia's 5th Congressional District, she is doing so in a district held since 1987 by the late civil rights icon John Lewis. I am encouraging more Black Americans and Black Democrats in particular you might have this coat on, but I suggest you look at the lining. Senator Nikema has been a fearless advocate for women and working families her entire life. Democratic jitters grow over Cornel West's third-party bid Congresswoman Nikema Williams is a candidate for Georgia's Fifth Congressional District. She is fighting the charge, arguing that Georgia law requires that legislators "shall be free from arrest during sessions of the General Assembly" except for treason, felony or breach of the peace. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Biden administration announces $39 billion in student debt relief for 804,000 Trump says 2024 running mate could be one of his primary opponents, Senators to offer amendment to require government to make UFO records public, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The act is an effort by Democrats to restore a provision of the original 1965 voting rights legislation that mandated protections for people registering to vote in the South. In 2002, she moved to Atlanta where she was Campaign Manager for T.J. Copeland who served in the Georgia legislature from 2004 to 2006). Shes taking the helm at a critical time. They had until 4:30 p.m. to name a new nominee. Nikema Williams is the first Black chairwoman of the Georgia Democratic Party, a former state senator, and the first woman to serve as representative of Georgia's 5th Congressional District,. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. I grew up with no indoor plumbing and no running water, she said. Before making this career change, in 2017, in a special election, she was elected state senator for the 39th district which includes the cities of Atlanta, East Point, College Park, Union City, and South Fulton. Rep. Nikema Williams is not only the first Black woman to chair the Georgia Democratic Party, she is also the first Black woman to represent Georgia's 5th Congressional District -- the seat. Steps toward a national abortion ban, an attack on the rights of LGBTQ+ servicemembers and harmful book bans, all in an attempt to jam right-wing ideologies down our throats. Congresswoman Williams and her husband, Leslie Small, reside in Atlanta with their son, Carter. Atlanta, GA 30303(404) 659-0116. Williams attended Talladega, a HBCU liberal arts college. she was a state senator from Georgia, the state Democratic Party . But they told me, You know what, those are values we just dont have.. "We see that there is power in our voices, and Georgians are continuing to show up and make sure that their voices are heard and that's not going away. Rep. Nikema Williams replaced an icon and helped flip Ga. But she's not Democrats lost every statewide election, but scored victories across the suburbs and made the race for governor the closest in decades. Through her fundraising efforts with Gen44, Nikema has been recognized as one of the top ten influential African American bundlers for President Obama by Huffington Post. I thought it was OK to not agree with those things as a Democrat. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Williams received 37 of 41 votes from the executive committee, beating out 130 applicants. She was also recognized in the 2009 and 2010 publication of Whos Who in Black Atlanta as a community leader. Help With a Government Agency Schedule a D.C. Tour Request a Meeting Request a Commendation or Greeting Compete in the Congressional Art Competition Home - Nikema Williams Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. House holds moment of silence for John Lewis, by The Hills Juliegrace Brufke. The 1965 Voting Rights Act signed into law, in part by the efforts of John Lewis, was passed to stop voter suppression tactics. Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said: "Extreme MAGA Republicans are using the 2024 Fiscal Year National Defense Authorization Act to advance their out-of-touch agenda. Georgia state Rep. Mesha Mainor from Atlanta switched to the Republican Party Tuesday (July 11) and became the only Black GOP state lawmaker, giving Republicans a 102-78 majority in the Georgia House of Representative, the Associated Press reports. Nikema served as the National Committee Woman for the Young Democrats of Georgia. The Senate Republican campaign arm posted a record-breaking second-quarter haul of $35.6 million, besting its Democratic counterpart in the period spanning April 1 through June 30. As a Member of Congress, Congresswoman Williams continues to uplift the legacy of her mentor and predecessor, Congressman John Lewis, by fighting to prevent voter suppression and expand free and fair access to the ballot box. Williams said it wasnt until a few days before the election that she paused to realize she would be the first black woman to lead the party. None of the arrests should have happened that day., From rural Alabama to Georgia party chair. Georgia Democrats tap state party chair to replace John Lewis on November ballot, by Max. Georgia Democrats tap state party chair to replace John Lewis on November ballot, House holds moment of silence for John Lewis. ATLANTA As she begins her role as Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, Nikema Williams is committed to uplifting Democratic values across the state, and building coalitions that will last for years to come. Terri Lee Freeman: John Lewiss message: The power of voices and of voting., Douglas Schoen: Why campaign shakeup will not assist Donald Trump.. So number one is a national response to this pandemic," Williams said. (Alex Slitz/FR171947 AP) Gift Article. What she did have was a zest for civil rights and trailblazing in her blood. . Bill Shipp, a journalist who covered politics in Georgia for more than 50 years, has died at age 89. And it brought Williams to the forefront after an eventful year. Georgia Democrats pick a new leader after setting a new course, Georgia Democratic Leader Nikema Williams Talks Energizing Voters, Meet Nikema Williams, the newly elected leader of Georgias Democrats. Click here to subscribe. Williams who succeeds Dubose Porter, a former state representative who publishes a newspaper in Dublin said while shes spent that past 17 years in Atlanta, she understands the difficulties that many living in rural Georgia face. Who is Nikema Williams? | 11alive.com Education: B.A., Talladega College. In the wake of the disastrous 2018 Georgia elections, marked with rampant voter suppression, she was arrested at the Georgia State Capitol while peacefully protesting with her constituents, demanding that every vote be counted. On Saturday, she was overwhelmingly elected party chairwoman after a pledge to constantly let people know how Brian Kemp is failing us and a promise to create a year-round field operation to lay the groundwork early for 2020. In this Aug. 18, 2020, file image from video, Georgia State Sen. Nikema Williams speaks during the state roll call vote on the second night of the Democratic National Convention. She also serves as the Vice President of Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates, the affiliated political arm of Planned Parenthood Southeast. The first black woman elected to lead the state party, Williams takes over an institution energized by the campaign of Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the governors race to Republican Brian Kemp and continues to be seen as a rising star nationally. While she says will continue Lewis' legacy, she has ideas of her own. Currently, Nikema is a member of the 2013 class of The New Leaders Council, an organization dedicated to train and promote the next generation of progressive political entrepreneurs. Even with the gains seen in the 2018 elections, the party will face an uphill battle. Democrats raised more than $700 million through the partys online fundraising clearinghouse ActBlue in the second quarter of 2020, making it the highest single-quarter total raised on the platform since its inception in 2004. Protecting everyone's voice whether it be in the ability to protest or to vote is why she said she ran for Congress. Democratic Congressional candidate Nikema Williams greets a supporter during a campaign event in Jonesboro, Ga., Oct. 27, 2020. Before her congressional service, Congresswoman Williams served in the Georgia State Senate. His win on Monday means he will lead the largest state GOP in the country into one of its most difficult election seasons in recent history. By Maya Prabhu. Nikema Williams - Higher Heights for America PAC Williams is charged with obstruction and disrupting the General Assembly. Black Alabama Woman Returns Home After Vanishing On The Highway. Nikema Williams has big plans for the Georgia Democratic Party. January 5, 2021 at 1:14 p.m. EST Rep. Nikema Williams on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Who is Nikema Williams? Maya T. Prabhu is a government reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Im coming into party leadership with two pending criminal charges, she said. Upon election, she became the youngest Congressional District Chair ever elected in the state. Did someone forward this to you? Lori Harvey And Damson Idris: Relationship Still Sizzling After Quavo Dating Rumor. As a State Senator, Williams got in the Good Trouble Congressman Lewis spoke about. His leadership and fighting spirit is needed now more than ever in this country., We need someone who is not afraid to put themselves on the line for their constituents in the way that Congressman Lewis taught us to.. Meet Nikema Williams, Nikema Williams Congress, nd., https://www.nikemaforcongress.com/meet-nikema; Adisa Hargett-Robinson, Nikema Williams Wins John Lewis Congressional Seat, ABCNewsGo.com, November 7, 2020, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/nikema-williams-wins-john-lewis-congressional-seat/story?id=74020241; Maya T. Prabhu, Meet Nikema Williams, the newly elected leader of Georgias Democrats The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 28, 2019, https://www.ajc.com/news/stateregional-govtpolitics/meet-nikema-williams-the-newly-elected-leader-georgia-democrats/aO7iTKsTyelrt9jrNRJ7qK/. A commitment to human rights and an extensive background in public service prepared Williams for the gift and challenge of her career when civil rights lion John Lewis, a friend and mentor, succumbed to cancer on July 17, 2020. And capitol police put me and zip ties and booked me in jail," Williams said. Someone made a graphic that the five black members of Congress in Georgia are all members of the 'Divine Nine' and it was really powerful for me to just see the power and the impact of our Greek letter organizations in the Black community. Democrats tap Nikema Williams to replace John Lewis on November ballot Congresswoman Nikema Williams @RepNikema. Paid for by the DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE (202) 863-8000. During the 2020 primaries, Georgia again faced voting issues overwhelmingly affecting the state's African American voters. U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, lambasted Mainor's switch as a "stinging betrayal" of her Democratic constituents. I never thought this day would come in Georgia. So its a huge task. Rep. Nikema Williams and Sens. State Sen. Nikema Williams to replace John Lewis in November election It was kind of like your reminder that you have to continue this when hes not here. Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls, Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.