Georgia Democrats have chosen state Senator Nikema Williams, chair of the national party, to replace Rep. John Lewis on November’s ballot. The Democratic Party of Georgia’s executive committee voted for Williams unanimously on Monday to take Lewis’ place on the ballot for the 5th Congressional District in Atlanta following the death of the long-time representative and civil rights activist late last week.

Williams, 41, was chosen from a list of five candidates as the community works to fill the spot quickly according to state law. She almost assures of winning in the heavily Democratic district in November. The state party has said that it has received 131 spot applications. The category was then narrowed down to five candidates, who were speaking before senior officials of the state party committee.

Williams defeated State Representative Park Cannon, Georgia NAACP President James Woodall, Atlanta City Councilor Andre Dickens and former Atlanta Morehouse College president Robert Franklin. Since 2017 Williams has served in the State Senate and is the current chair of the Democratic Party. This November she faces Independent Angela Stanton-King. Stanton-King is a reality TV star and forgives earlier this year for her role in a stolen car ring by President Donald Trump after spending six months of house arrest in 2007.

Lewis Faces Republican Opponent

When Lewis last faced a Republican opponent in the district in 2016, he received more than 84 per cent of the vote. The seat is to remain vacant until a special election calls by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. The Republican Governor gives no indication that will hold an election. It is in the Lewis term with just over six months remaining.

Lewis, 80, dies on Friday after diagnose with advance pancreatic cancer several months later. Funeral arrangements release. Kemp ordered flags to be at half-staff in Georgia before sunset on the day of Lewis’ funeral. Thousands of people came to Lewis ‘s massive mural near his home Sunday in downtown Atlanta to pay respects. Flowers, balloons, pictures, candles and cards lined up at the base of the building. It is where “HERO” write over the Lewis speaking drawing.

The post Senator Nikema Williams to Replace John Lewis on Ballot appeared first on headlinecode.