Two Georgia Dems plan to skip Trump’s State of the Union

Two Georgia Democrats are planning to skip President Trump’s State of the Union address next week.

The offices of Reps. John Lewis and Hank Johnson confirmed to The Hill Thursday that they would not be in attendance on Feb. 5.

{mosads}“I have a problem with defiling the Speaker’s chair in the House of Representatives,” Johnson told AJC. “I don’t want to see it lowered, as is what happens when Donald Trump comes to our floor and starts talking about groups of people, particularly Latinos, and disparaging them as a people.” 

“I’d rather be somewhere else,” he added. 

Civil rights hero Lewis is continuing his standing boycott of Trump’s speeches.

Lewis was also one of the many Democrats to not attend the annual speech last year.

Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams is set to deliver her party’s response to Trump’s speech.

Abrams is seen as a rising star in the party after her contentious loss to Brian Kemp (R) in Georgia’s gubernatorial election last year.

Abrams is considered a potential candidate next year for the seat currently held by Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) following her unsuccessful run.

Darcy Palder and Margaret Cullen contributed to this report.