Georgia Democratic candidates and organizations call on party chair Nikema Williams to resign

“We envision a future where Georgia is no longer a swing state and instead a blue stronghold. We envision 2026 being the year we elect a Democratic Governor and slate of constitutional officers, we re-elect our nation’s youngest Senator, Jon Ossoff, and we flip the seats needed to break Republican control of the state legislature,” the organization said.

“The work in making that vision a reality starts now … by re-envisioning the leadership of the Democratic Party of Georgia.”

The organization also accused Williams, a former leader of the Georgia Young Democrats, of failing to provide the support and investment desired by Young Democratic members.

“Georgia Young Democrats have always advocated for Young Democrats in party spaces, and we have consistently found that the state party to fail the needs of their young staff, and members,” the statement continues.

“The lack of support has had a direct impact on our ability to mobilize young voters, expand our presence in rural areas and engage with communities pivotal to securing a Democratic future in Georgia.”

The Young Democrats of Georgia’s statement follows similar calls for Williams to step down as state party chair by the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women and about 20 Democrats who ran for the state House of Representatives this election cycle, according to the AJC.

The GFDW claims that Williams has failed to accept any responsibility “for the numerous failures which led to the presidential defeat.”

Williams has served as state party chair since January 2019, becoming the first African American woman to hold the position.

In 2021, she began holding double duty as chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia and as the representative for Georgia’s 5th Congressional District. She was reelected to a third term in Congress earlier this month.

Alongside the calls for Williams’ resignation as state party chair have come messages of support from several state Democratic leaders as well.

Former Democratic Georgia State Rep. Erick Allen released an open letter on Tuesday praising Williams for her accomplishments and leadership while serving as chair. He cited the wins by Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in the U.S. Senate and President Joe Biden’s win in Georgia in 2020.

Allen also said the calls for Williams to step down were “misplaced and unwarranted.”

“If the real issue is discomfort with a Congresswoman serving as chair, then let’s pursue a transparent process to establish a full-time, paid chairperson role- a concept that Nikema Williams herself supports,” said Allen in the letter.

“But any changes should be made through proper channels, not knee-jerk reactions driven by personal ambitions of people seeking a future office.”

While Williams has yet to publicly comment on calls her for resignation as state party chair, she did release a statement shortly after the election thanking state Democrats for their participation in the election and the party’s achievements throughout the cycle.

“We opened dozens of offices across the state, hired hundreds of paid staff and consistently kept Georgia in the national conversation,” said Williams in the statement.

“The election results do not reflect the work on the ground. To every person who organized, knocked doors, made phone calls and made their voice heard: THANK YOU!”

WABE has reached out to Williams for further comment.