GA-5: Who would replace John Lewis if he retired?

[Suburbia]

Georgia Congressman John Lewis is a legend. A Civil Rights Activist and leader from the 1960s, he has shaped part of American history in Congress. However, Lewis is 76 years old and could retire in 2018, 2020, or 2022, or down the line. Who other than Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed would replace Lewis if he did retire one day in the ultra safe Democratic seat?

http://www.gpb.org/news/2013/09/25/kasim-reeds-political-future

[Chief Justice Keef]

Stacey Abrams?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Stacey Abrams?

Whoever makes it to the primary runoff with Kasim Reed.

[SATW]

Kasim Reed would be a good congressman.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Kasim Reed would be a good congressman.

He'd lose the primary runoff, methinks

[Figueira]

Kasim Reed would be a good congressman.

He'd lose the primary runoff, methinks

Why?

[Del Tachi]

This is an interesting district to me. 

I understand its 60% Black, but it includes all of the "White liberal" parts of Atlanta like Midtown, Ansley Park, O4W, and Decatur.  I also suspect this district is getting more diverse, and might not have a majority-Black electorate in 4-8 years.

Would be interesting to see if a White Democrat could win a primary here; I think it could happen in 2018 or 2020 if the field was fractured enough.

As for Kasim Reed...Atlanta is a top tier metro similar to Chicago or Boston.  Going from Mayor to Congress would be a downgrade, but it might be the best option if Reed's looking to stay involved in politics.  I expect he'll have a cushy private sector career after his term ends though, might be HUD Secretary of USDOT Secretary in a future Democratic Admin.   

[BuckeyeNut]

Stacey Abrams?

I could see this, but does Abrams live in the district? I know she has Gubernatorial and maybe even Presidential ambitions.

[Nutmeg]

Would be interesting to see if a White Democrat could win a primary here

It was in the 1970s and 80s, but this guy managed to do it

As for Kasim Reed...Atlanta is a top tier metro similar to Chicago or Boston.  Going from Mayor to Congress would be a downgrade 

I'd make the distinction that unlike Chicago or Boston, though, only a small portion of the metro area actually is included in the city limits; it's not the juggernaut these other cities are. A congressional district encompasses more people than Atlanta's city limits do.

[Figueira]

Would be interesting to see if a White Democrat could win a primary here

It was in the 1970s and 80s, but this guy managed to do it

As for Kasim Reed...Atlanta is a top tier metro similar to Chicago or Boston.  Going from Mayor to Congress would be a downgrade 

I'd make the distinction that unlike Chicago or Boston, though, only a small portion of the metro area actually is included in the city limits; it's not the juggernaut these other cities are. A congressional district encompasses more people than Atlanta's city limits do.

Good point. Boston is sort of that way, but not to the extent that Atlanta is.

[Chief Justice Keef]

Stacey Abrams?

I could see this, but does Abrams live in the district? I know she has Gubernatorial and maybe even Presidential ambitions.

Stacey Abrams represents the 89th district in the Georgia House which is pretty much in the heart of Atlanta.

I see her running and winning because she fits the politics of the city pretty well and I don't see her being successful statewide.

[Kingpoleon]

Stacey Abrams, Philip M. Breedlove, and Martin Luther King III are all possibilities.

[BuckeyeNut]

Stacey Abrams, Philip M. Breedlove, and Martin Luther King III are all possibilities.

King hasn't been in politics since the 90's, so that would be somewhat strange... Though I suppose that means people may have forgotten about his tax problems.