Metro Atlantans have decided it's not yet time for change in the 5th Congressional District. Incumbent John Lewis fought off his first Democratic primary challengers in more than a decade.

Rev. Markel Hutchins and state Representative "Able" Mable Thomas challenged the Lewis, 68, who has represented the 5th District since 1987. The two challengers were Lewis' first primary opposition in 16 years.

At 31, Hutchins was among the youngest congressional candidates in the country. Thomas, 50, was the last Democrat to challenge Lewis, losing to him in 1992 by more than 30,000 votes.

Most of Lewis' colleagues in the House ran unopposed in Tuesday's primary, and Lewis faced the most opposition among Democrats. Both Hutchins and Thomas ran on platforms of change, charging that Lewis was out of touch with his metro Atlanta constituents and the message of progress sweeping the country and being led by a younger generation.

The winner of the 5th Congressional District primary will claim the seat and head to Washington in January, as there is no Republican candidate running for the post.