Nikema Williams Declines To Debate Opponent In Race For John Lewis’ House Seat

After state party leaders handed her the Democratic nomination for an Atlanta congressional seat previously held by the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, state Sen. Nikema Williams has declined to debate her long-shot Republican opponent.
Williams’ campaign informed organizers she will not participate in a virtual debate hosted by the Atlanta Press Club and Georgia Public Broadcasting set for Oct. 12 against Republican Angela Stanton-King, Atlanta Press Club debate organizer Lauri Strauss said Tuesday.
“We understand that it’s an unusual time and schedules are busy,” Strauss said. “We just really hoped to provide an opportunity for the public to get to know who she is before people head to the polls.”
Williams’ campaign has not responded to calls, texts or an email requesting comment. But she responded on Twitter, saying she’s “a parent with a child in virtual kindergarten also working” full time.
Williams was selected in July by the executive committee of the Democratic Party of Georgia to replace Lewis’ name on the ballot on Nov. 3, after the longtime congressman and civil rights leader’s death after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She’s roundly favored to win in Georgia’s heavily Democratic 5th Congressional District.
Williams also declined to face voters in a Sept. 29 special election for the brief remainder of Lewis’ current term, which has drawn seven other office seekers.
Stanton-King is an author and former reality show cast member pardoned by President Donald Trump earlier this year for her part in a stolen car ring, after serving six months of home confinement in 2007. She has also decided to sidestep the Sept. 29 special election.
Strauss said organizers will still provide a forum for Stanton-King, who accepted the debate, to answer questions from a moderator and journalist during the scheduled time.
-
Family Of Black Man In DeKalb County Who Died After Police Shot At Him Demand Release Of Video Footage
-
Video Shows DeKalb Police Kicking Open Door, Shooting At Black Man Who Died Moments Later
-
Where Does The Ahmaud Arbery Case Stand Now?
-
Former Democrat Vernon Jones, A Vocal Trump Supporter, To Challenge Kemp In GOP Primary
-
Atlanta Developers Set To Open Black Wall Street, 100 Years After Tulsa Massacre
-
Atlanta City Councilwoman Discusses Crackdown On ‘Nuisance Properties’
-
Three Weeks In, Georgia Election Officials Grapple With New Law's Effects
-
'I Worry For My Survival': Ga. Transgender Woman Ashley Diamond Fights To Be Moved Out Of Men's Prison