Kwanza Hall On Why He’s Running For The Unexpired Term In The 5th District
Kwanza Hall is running to fill the term left after the death of Rep. John Lewis.
Courtesy of Kwanza Hall
Special election 5th District Candidate Kwanza Hall recently visited WABE and talked about why he says he is the best candidate to fill Georgia’s 5th district vacancy left after the death of Rep. John Lewis in July.
Hall is no stranger to politics. For 11 years, he served on the Atlanta City Council and, before that, the Atlanta School Board.
A graduate of MIT, Hall has worked in the business sector since 2017. And now he wants to return to public service by running for the 5th District seat.
Hall grew up one door down from John Lewis and shared why he should fill the seat left vacant by the late congressman.
Hall said, “I am the right person to bridge the gap between the generations to ensure a smooth transition. To ensure there is communication and dialogue.” He added, “There is a need for leadership that can speak all of the languages. These are unpreceded times in our countries history.”
He said his track record, knowledge and his dialogue with the small business association and other entities are some of the things that make him the best person to fill the seat.
“I have relationships across the board. If I don’t have the relationship, I know very influential people.” Hall, who has served in public office for 15 years, added, “There [are] great projects that Congressman Lewis had on the table that we should at least be able to bring some of them forward.”
Five Democrats, an Independent and a Libertarian will square off in the special election to fill the vacancy left by Lewis after 34 years in Congress. If no one wins a majority Tuesday, the runoff will be Dec. 1.
Lewis’ successor will serve only until the current Congress ends in January. Democrats include former Morehouse College president Robert Franklin, retiring state Rep. “Able” Mable Thomas, former state Rep. Keisha Waites, Hall and Barrington Martin II. Also running are independent Steven Muhammad and Libertarian Chase Oliver.
WABE’s Morning Edition with your host Lisa Rayam has sat down with each candidate, including state Sen. Nikema Williams.
Williams kicked off her bid to succeed Lewis in August. She was then chosen by Georgia Democratic officials to take his place on the November ballot.
WABE’s Maria White Tillman contributed to this report.
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