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ATLANTA — The Democratic Party of GeorgiaÐÔÊӽ紫ý State Committee elected Atlanta lawyer Charlie Bailey during the weekend to serve as the partyÐÔÊӽ紫ý chair.

Bailey, a native of Harris County, has run for state attorney general twice but came up short to the Republican candidate both times.

He will succeed ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta, who gave up the chairmanship earlier this year after the committee amended the party bylaws to require the party chair to serve in that position full time.

In a prepared statement, Bailey vowed to lead Georgia Democrats in an aggressive campaign.

“Republicans have controlled this state for 22 years, and in that time, 12 rural hospitals have closed and 18 more are at risk of closing because they refuse to expand Medicaid,� he wrote.

“We’ll make sure all voters know that electing more Republicans in Georgia means more billionaire tax cuts, corporate giveaways, and a host of other distractions that will not reduce prices for Georgians, and we’re going to hold them accountable.�

Bailey will take over the post immediately from Interim Chair Matthew Wilson, a former state representative from Brookhaven.