Bond stood in his way. That's the ultimate reason in any criminal gang.
I forgot that Lewis ran as long ago as 1977 in the special election for the same seat when Carter had the brilliant notion to make Rep. Andrew Young Ambassador to the United Nations (even Carter had to sack him after 2 years). He lost badly to Wyche Fowler (Paul Coverdell placed 3rd in the all-party primary). Perhaps we should be grateful to Fowler for having prevented this race-baiting imbecile from serving 10 additional years in Congress.