Georgia Democrats Choose State Chair to Replace Lewis on Ballot

Tom Perez (L) chair of the Democratic National Committee, and Nikema Williams, chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, speak with reporters, in Atlanta, on Nov. 20, 2019. Ron Harris/ File/AP Photo

ATLANTA—The head of Georgia’s Democratic Party has been chosen to face a Republican reality TV personality in the November contest for the seat of the late Rep. John Lewis, a towering figure who served in Congress for more than 30 years.

The selection of state Sen. Nikema Williams caps a quick and extraordinary process driven by state law where the party had roughly 72 hours to select someone to take Lewis’ spot on the ballot.