Georgia's 5th Congressional District

Georgia's 5th Congressional District

Incumbent

Nikema Williams

Assumed office: January 3, 2021

Georgia's 5th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Nikema Williams (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Georgia representatives represented an average of 766,091 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 694,826 residents.

Elections

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2030

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2028

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Arnetress Beatty (D), Andres Castro (D), and Victor Hill (D) are running in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Arnetress Beatty (D)
		Andres Castro (D)
	Submit photo	Victor Hill (D)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Incumbent Nikema Williams (D) defeated John Salvesen (R) in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nikema Williams (D)	85.7	294,470
		John Salvesen (R)	14.3	49,221

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 343,691
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Incumbent Nikema Williams (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nikema Williams	100.0	69,116

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 69,116
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5

John Salvesen (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Salvesen	100.0	3,939

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,939
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Incumbent Nikema Williams (D) defeated Christian Zimm (R) in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nikema Williams (D)	82.5	243,687
		Christian Zimm (R)	17.5	51,769

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 295,456
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Incumbent Nikema Williams (D) defeated Valencia Stovall (D) and Charlotte Macbagito (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nikema Williams	86.3	78,440
		Valencia Stovall	9.6	8,701
		Charlotte Macbagito	4.2	3,791

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 90,932
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ian Medina (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Christian Zimm (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christian Zimm	100.0	21,540

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 21,540
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Special election

See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District special election, 2020

General Runoff

Special general runoff election for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Kwanza Hall (D) defeated Robert Franklin (D) in the special general runoff for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on December 1, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kwanza Hall (D)	54.3	13,450
		Robert Franklin (D)	45.7	11,332

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,782
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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General election

Special general election for U.S. House Georgia District 5

The following candidates ran in the special general election for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on September 29, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kwanza Hall (D)	31.7	11,104
✔		Robert Franklin (D)	28.6	9,987
		Mable Thomas (D)	19.1	6,692
		Keisha Sean Waites (D)	12.2	4,255
		Barrington Martin II (D)	5.6	1,944
		Chase Oliver (L)	2.0	712
		Steven Muhammad (Independent)	0.8	282

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 34,976
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Regular election

See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Nikema Williams (D) defeated Angela Stanton King (R) in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nikema Williams (D)	85.1	301,857
		Angela Stanton King (R)	14.9	52,646

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 354,503
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• John Lewis (D)

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Incumbent John Lewis (D) defeated Barrington Martin II (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Lewis	87.6	142,541
		Barrington Martin II	12.4	20,096

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 162,637
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Angela Stanton King (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Angela Stanton King	100.0	8,566

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,566
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Incumbent John Lewis (D) won election in the general election for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Lewis (D)	100.0	275,406

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 275,406 (100% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5

Incumbent John Lewis (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Georgia District 5 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Lewis	100.0	80,860

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 80,860
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Previous election results

2016

See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent John Lewis (D) defeated Douglas Bell (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Neither candidate faced a primary opponent on May 24, 2016.

U.S. House, Georgia District 5 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John Lewis Incumbent	84.4%	253,781
	Republican	Douglas Bell	15.6%	46,768
Total Votes				300,549
Source: Georgia Secretary of State

2014

See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 5th Congressional District of Georgia held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent John Lewis (D) won an uncontested general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 5 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John Lewis Incumbent	100%	170,326
Total Votes				170,326
Source: Georgia Secretary of State

General election candidates

• No candidates filed to run
• John Lewis - Incumbent

May 20, 2014, primary results

Republican Primary

No candidates filed to run

Democratic Primary

• John Lewis - Incumbenta

2012

See also: Georgia's 5th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 5th Congressional District of Georgia held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent John Lewis won re-election in the district.

U.S. House, Georgia District 5 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John Lewis Incumbent	84.4%	234,330
	Republican	Howard Stopeck	15.6%	43,335
Total Votes				277,665
Source: Georgia Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, John Lewis won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Fenn Little (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 5 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John Lewis incumbent	73.7%	130,782
	Republican	Fenn Little	26.3%	46,622
Total Votes				177,404

2008
On November 4, 2008, John Lewis won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Shira Kash (Write-in) and Jeanne Fitzmaurice (Write-in) in the general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 5 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John Lewis incumbent	100%	231,368
	Write-in	Shira Kash	0%	81
	Write-in	Jeanne Fitzmaurice	0%	25
Total Votes				231,474

2006
Lewis ran unopposed for re-election in 2006.

2004
Lewis ran unopposed for re-election in 2004.

2002
Lewis ran unopposed for re-election in 2002.

2000
On November 7, 2000, John Lewis won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Hank Schwab (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Georgia District 5 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John Lewis incumbent	77.2%	137,333
	Republican	Hank Schwab	22.8%	40,606
	N/A	Write-in	0%	3
Total Votes				177,942

District map

Redistricting

2020-2023

See also: Redistricting in Georgia after the 2020 census

On December 8, 2023, Governor Brian Kemp (R) signed revised congressional maps into law. Legislators in the Georgia House of Representatives voted 98-71 to adopt the new congressional map on December 7. The Georgia State Senate voted 32-22 to adopt the congressional map on December 5.

On October 26, 2023, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia ruled that the state's congressional and legislative district boundaries violated the Voting Rights Act and enjoined the state from using them for future elections. The court directed the Georgia General Assembly to develop new maps by December 8, 2023.

On December 28, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District upheld the maps enacted on December 8, which were later used in the 2024 elections, and found them in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.

“

The Court finds that the General Assembly fully complied with this Court’s order requiring the creation of a majority-Black congressional district in the region of the State where vote dilution was found. The Court further finds that the elimination of 2021 CD 7 did not violate the October 26, 2023 Order. Finally, the Court declines to adjudicate Plaintiffs’ new Section 2 claim based on a coalition of minority voters. Hence, the Court OVERRULES Plaintiffs’ objections ... and HEREBY APPROVES SB 3EX.

”

The district court's approval of remedial state legislative maps was appealed to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral argument was held on January 23, 2025.

How does redistricting in Georgia work? In Georgia, both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. A simple majority in each chamber is required to approve redistricting plans, which are subject to veto by the governor.

The Georgia Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no similar requirements for congressional districts.

Below are the congressional maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Georgia’s 2024 congressional elections.

2020

2024

2010-2011

This is the 5th Congressional District of Georgia after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Georgia after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Georgia State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

On August 22, 2011, Georgia's Republican leadership released their proposed Congressional redistricting map. Due to population growth, Georgia gained a 14th Congressional district following the 2010 census. The new district, according to the plan, is located in the northwestern part of the state. Rep. Tom Graves (R) was drawn into the new district, which left 9th District seat open in 2012. After redistricting, the 9th District leaned Republican. In addition, the plan displaced Rep. John Barrow (D), but Barrow (who had been displaced before) moved into the district in order to remain in the 12th District. Rep. Sanford Bishop's (D) district will become a majority-minority district. Also, Rep. Phil Gingrey's (R) 11th District picked up part of Atlanta. Overall, the plan was expected to bolster the Republican majority in the state's congressional delegation.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+36. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 36 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Georgia's 5th the 5th most Democratic district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+35. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 35 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Georgia's 5th the 10th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 85.7%-13.0%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+32. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 32 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Georgia's 5th the 15th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 82.6% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 16.2%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+34. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 34 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Georgia's 5th Congressional District the 14th most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.94. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.94 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Georgia
• Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2024
• Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2022
• Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2020
• Georgia's 5th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 5

Footnotes

[show]

Georgia's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Jon Ossoff (D)

Raphael Warnock (D)

Representatives

District 1

Earl Carter (R)

District 2

Sanford Bishop (D)

District 3

Brian Jack (R)

District 4

Hank Johnson (D)

District 5

Nikema Williams (D)

District 6

Lucy McBath (D)

District 7

Rich McCormick (R)

District 8

Austin Scott (R)

District 9

Andrew Clyde (R)

District 10

Mike Collins (R)

District 11

Barry Loudermilk (R)

District 12

Rick Allen (R)

District 13

David Scott (D)

District 14

Marjorie Greene (R)

Republican Party (9)

Democratic Party (7)