Charlie Bailey Elected First Full-Time Chair of Georgia Democrats, Vows Aggressive Fundraising for 2025-2026 Elections

Charlie Bailey, former Democratic nominee for Georgia attorney general and lieutenant governor, was elected Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia on May 3, 2025. He is the first full-time, salaried chair following a bylaw change. Bailey replaces U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, who stepped down due to internal dissatisfaction and role constraints. Bailey defeated Wendy Davis with 53% of the vote and plans to focus on fundraising and candidate support for the 2025 and 2026 elections. His election marks a strategic shift towards professionalized leadership and aims to rebuild Democratic momentum in Georgia.

A New Era of Leadership

Bailey secured the chairmanship after a competitive race involving seven candidates. In the final runoff, he defeated former Rome City Commissioner Wendy Davis with 53% of the vote (116 to 98). The election was held at a Teamsters union hall in Atlanta, where more than 200 state committee members gathered to cast their votes.

Bailey’s candidacy was bolstered by endorsements from prominent Georgia Democrats, including U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and U.S. Representative Lucy McBath, who also delivered his nomination speech. His victory signals a strategic pivot for the party, emphasizing professionalized leadership and a renewed focus on electoral competitiveness.

Transition from Nikema Williams

Bailey succeeds Rep. Nikema Williams, who had served as chair since 2019. Williams, a sitting member of Congress, faced legal and logistical constraints that limited her ability to raise funds for the state party. Her dual roles also raised concerns about the time and attention she could devote to party leadership.

In response to these challenges, the Democratic Party of Georgia amended its bylaws to convert the chair position from a volunteer role to a full-time, paid post. Williams supported the change and stepped down following its adoption. Her departure came amid broader dissatisfaction within the party, particularly after Vice President Kamala Harris lost Georgia in the 2024 presidential election, a result that some members attributed to weak state-level coordination and messaging.

Fundraising and Election Strategy

Bailey has made clear that his top priority is to raise the funds necessary to support Democratic candidates in upcoming elections. “The first thing is you’ve got to be clear about what your values are, which we’re going to do, and then we’ve got to win races,” Bailey told committee members. “The only way to change this stuff is to take back power. You got to beat these Republicans.”

He emphasized the need to support races for public service commissioner, a likely special election for the state Senate, and statewide constitutional offices in 2026, including the governorship. Bailey also noted that Senator Ossoff’s reelection campaign will be a focal point for the party’s efforts.

“I know what it takes to run effective campaigns and cut into those margins,” Bailey said, referencing his own narrow losses in 2018 and 2022. He believes those experiences will help him guide other Democratic candidates to victory.

Party Unity and Vision

Bailey inherits a party that is ideologically diverse and, at times, divided between its progressive and moderate wings. He acknowledged the need to unify the base and restore faith in the party’s ability to deliver results.

“People in our base have lost faith in our ability to fight for them,” Bailey said in his post-election remarks. “As chair, I will fight every single day for the justice of every person in this state.”

He also outlined a policy vision rooted in traditional Democratic priorities, including expanding access to health care, improving public education, and addressing economic inequality. Bailey criticized the Republican-led state government for the closure of rural hospitals and underperforming public schools, attributing these issues to the GOP’s resistance to full Medicaid expansion and lack of investment in education.

Controversy and Bylaw Adjustments

Bailey’s election was not without controversy. Some party members expressed discomfort with replacing Williams, a Black woman, with Bailey, a white man. The party’s bylaws typically require that if the chair is a man, the first vice chair must be a woman. However, the rules were temporarily amended to allow both top positions to be held by men, enabling First Vice Chair Matthew Wilson to remain in his role.

Despite these concerns, Bailey emphasized inclusivity and representation in his vision for the party. “The Democratic Party is a diverse party that believes in opportunity for everybody,” he said. “We’re at our strongest when we represent the entire state.”

Campaign Experience and Legal Background

Bailey brings a background in law and electoral politics to his new role. He previously served as an assistant district attorney in Fulton County and was the Democratic nominee for attorney general in 2018 and lieutenant governor in 2022. During his campaign for party chair, he highlighted his legal work defending local officials against last-minute rule changes by the State Election Board that could have jeopardized the certification of the presidential election.

“I only ask to be judged on my heart and on my work,” Bailey said. “We’re going to support all of our people and get as many Democrats elected across the state as humanly possible.”

References

• Georgia Dems pick former AG candidate Bailey to lead party back to win column
• Newly elected chair of Georgia Democrats says party hasn't been fighting enough
• Democratic Party of Georgia elects Charlie Bailey as new chair
• Charlie Bailey is elected new Chair of Democratic Party of Georgia
• Newly elected chair of Georgia Democrats says party hasn't been fighting enough