ATLANTA — Georgia's Democratic Party is on the verge of a major shift.
On Thursday, the state's Democratic Party committee voted to begin the process of transforming the party chair position into a paid, full-time role—effectively pushing Congresswoman Nikema Williams out of her seat earlier than expected.
The move comes after months of criticism from Democratic activists, especially in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election. Some party members have called for Williams to step down, citing concerns over her ability to balance the demands of leading the state party while serving in Congress.
Williams, who has held the position since 2019, had previously expressed support for turning the chairmanship into a full-time role. She also said she would step down if the change took place.
State committee members see this transition as a necessary step for the future of Georgia’s Democratic Party. One committee member spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“It’s hard to do two full-time jobs at once. Our state party deserves a full-time chair dedicated to winning statewide and down-ballot races," the committee member said. "We need someone who can raise money across the country and across Georgia to fund our candidates and campaigns.”
If the changes progress, the bylaws committee will have until the end of February to propose a new structure. After that, the full state committee will vote on finalizing the changes.
While the proposed switch marks a turning point for the party, it’s clear that many Democrats see this as an opportunity to strengthen their efforts ahead of future elections, particularly in a crucial battleground state like Georgia.
For now, Williams remains in the role, but it seems possible her time as state party chair will soon come to an end.