Re: Overview of GA-05 Nomination Process
From: Maggie Chambers, DPG Communications Director
Date: July 24, 2020
Subject: Overview of GA-05 Nomination Process
Following the devastating loss of Georgia Democrat and national hero Congressman John Lewis, the Democratic Party of Georgia’s Executive Committee, pursuant to Georgia law, had the legal responsibility of naming a Democratic nominee for the ballot for Georgia’s 5th Congressional District.
While no one at the party wanted to fill the seat so quickly after Congressman Lewis’ passing, the deadline under Georgia law to notify the Secretary of State of the decision to fill the vacancy was 4:30 on Monday. After receiving advice from our counsel who conferred with the Secretary of State’s office, it was clear that the best course of action to ensure a Democratic nominee was on the ballot for November was to name the nominee at the same time that DPG verified we would be filling the vacancy on the ballot.
Throughout the process, the DPG shared thorough explanations of the process, along with full transparency as to names of all applicants and members of the nominating committee and executive committee.
Process Notes:
- On Saturday, July 18th, the DPG made an open call for candidate applications from any Georgian interested in serving in this role, acknowledging the necessary speed of the process due to legal requirements laid out in O.C.G.A. § 21–2–134(b)(1)(B). By Sunday, July 19th’s 6:30pm deadline, a total of 131 candidates answered the call and submitted applications to be considered for this role. That candidate list is available here.
- Submitted applications were then evaluated by a nominating committee comprised of Fifth District and Democratic leaders, who reviewed all applications and recommended 5 individuals to be considered by the Executive Committee: Park Cannon, Andre Dickens, Robert Franklin, Nikema Williams, and James “Major” Woodall.
- The nominating committee included: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; DuBose Porter, former DPG chairman; Stacey Abrams, former Democratic leader of the Georgia House; Jason Carter, former state senator; Glen Paul Freedman, DPG State Committee member and Resolutions Committee Chair; LeWanna Heard Tucker, Chair of the Fulton Democratic Committee; and John Jackson, Chair of the DeKalb County Committee.
- Nominating committee members were not voting members of the Executive Committee and had no role in the Executive Committee’s selection of a nominee from among the individuals they recommended.
- On Monday at 12:00 pm, the Executive Committee met virtually to consider the nominating committee’s recommendations, hear from each of the recommended candidates, and select a nominee. The full meeting was held virtually, and streamed live for members of the press and the public.
- There are 44 voting members of the DPG’s Executive Committee, which is made up of DPG officers, federal elected officials, key stakeholders, congressional district chairs, and other grassroots leaders of the Party. The full list of voting members is available here.
- After strong speeches by all five candidates and debate by the executive committee, 41 total votes were cast: 37 votes for Nikema Williams, 2 votes for Park Cannon, 1 vote for James “Major” Woodall, and 1 abstention. Nikema Williams was hereby named as the Democratic nominee for Georgia’s Fifth District.
- When Nikema Williams decided to seek the nomination, she recused herself from her role as chairwoman, handing off the process to other party leaders. She recused herself from the vote and the discussion of the candidates among Executive Committee members, and was treated the same as every other candidate.
The process was open and transparent throughout. Below are press releases shared throughout the timeline of the process.
- Saturday, 7/18: Announcement of Nomination Process
- Saturday, 7/18: Application Page
- Sunday, 7/19: Memo Outlining Nomination Process
- Monday, 7/20: Release Of Applicant List for Nomination
- Monday, 7/20: Announcement of Nominee
