U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., and Georgia Democratic Party chairwoman and U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams are feuding over pressure for her resign the chair after disastrous election results which saw GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump convincingly win the state. What some Democrats are calling a “blame game” started earlier last week when the Young Democrats of Georgia called for Williams’ ouster— and then Ossoff agreed.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff & U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams
Unfortunately for the senator, his resignation “advice” to her got leaked to the media.
An embarrassed Ossoff on Friday wouldn’t answer any questions about wanting Williams out as state party head. At the same time, other prominent Democrats rose to defend Williams’ party leadership. And as this turmoil continues to swirl, other top Democrats openly wonder if a better job can’t be done by a party leader not hampered by, in this case, trying to be a full-time member of the U.S. Congress who is prohibited from soliciting most federally sourced fund-raising.
In a statement released Friday evening, Williams appears to fold under pressure by saying she is open to some change.
“Tonight, DPG Chair Rep. Williams will send an email to the Georgia Democratic State Committee membership, formally endorsing the idea of amending party bylaws to allow for a full-time paid chair position and calling for an Executive Committee meeting on Nov. 23 and a full state committee meeting on Dec. 14,” wrote Dave Hoffman, communications director for the Georgia Democratic Party.
The feud obviously doesn’t help either Democrat, but especially hurts Ossoff at a time when he’ll soon be trying to build a statewide coalition to strengthen his 2026 Senate re-election campaign. Hemorrhaging of African-American support from Williams and her allies who may hold a grudge certainly won’t help Ossoff.
