Ga. State Senator to Replace Late John Lewis
A Georgia state senator has been elected to the U.S. House to replace the late congressman John Lewis, a civil rights icon who died in July.
Georgia state Sen. Nikema Williams is the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party. She beat Republican Angela Stanton-King in the Atlanta-based district.
The 42-year-old Williams is set to join two other Black women, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and 2018 gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, as among the state's most recognizable, influential Democrats.
Williams said she wants to use federal power to provide more subsidized health care and guarantee voting rights.
Stanton-King, 43, is a reality TV personality and outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump.
A special election runoff to become Lewis' short-term replacement takes place next month, but the winner of that race will only be in Congress until Williams is sworn in on Jan. 3. Neither Williams nor Stanton-King is running in the special election.