A longtime Liberty County businesswoman and political consultant has launched a primary challenge to one of Coastal Georgia’s most prominent politicians and one of the state’s most prominent Democratic lawmakers.
Sabrina Newby announced Friday that she is taking on Midway’s Al Williams for the Democratic nomination for the District 168 seat in the state House of Representatives. The 78-year-old Williams has served in the House for more than 22 years.
In declaring her candidacy, Newby, president of Coastal Georgia Minority Chamber of Commerce, did not single out or criticize the incumbent by name, insisting her decision to seek the seat wasn’t “about one person.” She said, however, it was time for change.
“After more than 20 years of the same representation — and I’ve lived here for 25 years — it is fair to ask, ‘Are we better off? Are our roads better off? Are our schools stronger?’ If not, it’s time to try something new.”
Liberty County, along with Chatham County, are Coastal Georgia’s two Democratic strongholds, so the winner of the Democratic primary on May 19 is expected to easily win November’s general election.
For Williams, Newby’s candidacy constitutes a rare challenge.
In 12 party primaries since 2002, Williams has faced a challenger only three times. In the same number of general elections, he has had a Republican opponent only three times, the last occasion in 2006.
Williams, though, rejected the suggestion that he has had a lock on the seat.
“The seat never belonged to Al Williams. It’s the people’s seat. I will run on my record of service,” he told The Current after Newby’s announcement.
In her announcement, Newby, 57, sought to strike a bipartisan note, saying that concerns over economic opportunity, high property taxes, infrastructure, public transparency, the disposition of special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) funds cut across party lines. District voters, she said, need to set aside their ideological differences and move beyond the “old system.”
“These aren’t Democratic issues or Republican issues, White or Black, or whether you were born here or decided to make this your home,” she said. “These are Liberty County issues. From recent graduates to grandparents on fixed incomes, from teachers and farmers to small business owners, we all share a common need. We need a government that is effective, efficient, and on our side.”
Present at Newby’s announcement at the pavilion at Hinesville’s James A. Brown Park were Councilwoman Diana Reid (District 1), Walthourville Mayor Sarah B. Hayes, and Democratic 1st District congressional candidate, Defonsio Daniels from Camden County.
Also attending was Newby’s husband, Newby’s husband, Hinesville councilman Dexter Newby (District 4).
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