Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, key players in the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump, both won their respective elections. Willis defeated Christian Wise Smith in the Democratic primary and will face Republican Courtney Kramer in the fall, while McAfee won a nonpartisan contest and will serve a full four-year term beginning in January. Willis and McAfee have gained national recognition due to their involvement in the high-profile election case.
Willis, with her high name recognition, fundraising advantage, and incumbency, was expected to win the primary and is favored in the general election due to Fulton County’s heavily Democratic leaning. Kramer, who has ties to Trump allies in Georgia, entered the race specifically in response to the Trump indictment, citing a need for change in the local political landscape. McAfee, a recent appointee of Gov. Kemp, has also garnered strong support and fundraising efforts in his campaign for a full term on the bench.
Willis and Smith, both former employees of the Fulton County district attorney’s office under Paul Howard, challenged their former boss in the Democratic primary in 2020, with Willis ultimately emerging victorious. Kramer, having run unopposed in the Republican primary, is focusing her attacks on Willis, highlighting her ties to Trump’s circle. Willis has also faced criticism for a romantic relationship with a special prosecutor in the election case, leading to accusations of conflict of interest that threatened to disrupt the prosecution.
Despite the distraction of the romantic controversy, Willis has focused her campaign efforts on addressing a case backlog, combating gang violence, and working to prevent youth involvement in the criminal justice system. McAfee, with his background as a federal and state prosecutor, has become a recognizable figure in Georgia due to his involvement in the high-profile election case. His bipartisan support from figures like Gov. Kemp and former Gov. Barnes has bolstered his candidacy for a full four-year term.
As the election case remains pending in the Georgia Court of Appeals following McAfee’s ruling that Willis could continue without the special prosecutor, the spotlight remains on both Willis and McAfee. Their involvement in such a high-profile case has brought them national attention and name recognition that may impact their future political endeavors. Both candidates have navigated challenges and controversies to position themselves as key players in Georgia’s legal and political landscape.
