Nikema Williams


Nikema Williams is an American politician and political executive serving as a member of the Georgia State Senate for District 39. She is also the chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. In July 2020, Williams became the Democratic nominee for, selected to replace John Lewis on the November ballot after his death.

Early life and education

Williams is from Smiths Station, Alabama. Her father was a neighborhood leader, and her great aunt, Autherine Lucy, integrated the University of Alabama. Williams graduated from Talladega College, where she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, and then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2002.

Career

After moving to Atlanta, Williams joined the Young Democrats of Georgia. She then served as vice-president for Public Policy at Planned Parenthood Southeast. In 2011, she was elected as the first vice chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. She served as the interim chair of the party in 2013, following Mike Berlon's resignation.
Williams supported Barack Obama's presidential campaigns and served as a member of the Obama Victory Fund in 2012. She was recognized as one of Obama's top bundlers during that campaign cycle, raising over $50,000 for the campaign.
In 2017, Williams was elected to the Georgia State Senate, in a special election after Vincent Fort's resignation to run in the Atlanta mayoral election. Williams was one of 15 people arrested during a protest against the handling of the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election at the Georgia State Capitol on November 13, 2018. The charges were dropped in June 2019.
In January 2019, Williams was elected to lead the Georgia Democratic Party. She became the first Black woman, the third woman, and second African American to chair the party. She was a delegate to the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Democratic National Conventions.
Williams was one of several Georgia General Assembly members to test positive for COVID-19 after being exposed by a fellow member.
On July 20, 2020, following the death of John Lewis, Williams was selected to replace him on the November ballot for Georgia's 5th congressional district in the 2020 election. She will face Republican nominee Angela Stanton-King in the general election, and is heavily favored in this strongly Democratic district. A special election will be also be called by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to fill the remainder of Lewis' unexpired term. Williams has not committed to run in the special election.

Personal life

Williams' husband, Leslie Small, is a former aide to John Lewis. They met while campaigning for Democrats during the 2008 elections. They have one son.