By Kirsten West Savali ·November 4, 2020November 4, 2020
Nikema Williams, state senator of Georgia’s 39th district, has defeated Republican Angela Stanton-King to >Rep. John Lewis, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in July.
Williams, who won a resounding victory—83.9% of votes to King’s 16.1%—will represent Georgia’s 5th congressional district.
“This seat does not belong to me, it belongs to the people,” Williams tweeted. “And I’m ready to fight #OutLoudAndOnPurpose for the people of #GA5! Now let’s get in some #GoodTrouble y’all!”
Williams, 42, who also serves as the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, said in an interview with InStyle.com that she is prepared to carry on the civil rights icon’s legacy.
“Nobody could replace John Lewis,” Williams said. “He paved the way and showed me the way.”
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 30: Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (left) speaks with State Senator Nikema Williams at the funeral service for the late Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) at Ebenezer Baptist Church on July 30, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Lewis, a civil rights icon and fierce advocate of voting rights for African Americans, died on July 17 at the age of 80. Williams was chosen by the Georgia Democratic party to replace Lewis on the ballot in November. (Photo by Alyssa Pointer-Pool/Getty Images)
Williams, former vice president of public policy at Planned Parenthood Southeast, began her career with Young Democrats of Georgia, where she met Rep. Lewis. She served as legislative coordinator and regional public policy manager for Planned Parenthood of Georgia.
“That [experience] ingrained in me how every issue is interconnected,” she told InStyle. “I can’t separate my uterus from Blackness, from my Southernness, from all the other things that make me Nikema.”
WE DID IT! Thank you for your support — I would have never been able to do it without you.This seat does not belong to me, it belongs to the people. And I'm ready to fight #OutLoudAndOnPurpose for the people of #GA5! Now let's get in some #GoodTrouble y'all! pic.twitter.com/5UAKv5R73J
— Senator Nikema Williams (@NikemaWilliams) November 4, 2020
Williams was endorsed by former Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris, Secretary Julian Castro, Sen. Cory Booker, and others.
She is the first Black woman, the second Black person, and the third woman to chair Georgia’s Democratic Party.
TOPICS: Election 2020
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