x
Breaking News
More () »

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis under scrutiny in election year

Willis' first term as district attorney ends in December 2024. The deadline to file for reelection is this week.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — As Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee weighs his options on disqualification, voters are preparing to make a decision of their own.

District Attorney Fani Willis' first term ends in December 2024. Whether she keeps her job or not will be up to the people of Fulton County, should she decide to run for reelection.

"She's my district attorney. I plan to vote for her in May. If someone decides to run, that is their choice. That's what primary elections are about," said Congresswoman Nikema Williams, who chairs the Democratic Party of Georgia. "I have every confidence that she will be reelected because she's doing a great job, and she's showing us that no one is above the law in Fulton County."

But as the election interference case against former president Donald Trump moves forward, some of the attention has shifted to Willis herself.

RELATED: Answer on whether Fulton DA Fani Willis will be removed from Trump RICO case expected in next 2 weeks

"Being the DA is very interesting because you're a prosecutor and you're a politician," former DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said. "Sometimes the prosecutor has to do things that damages the role of the politician."

James said some of the allegations lodged against Willis could hurt her political ambitions. While she hasn't formally announced a bid for reelection, records show her campaign has about $200,000 saved up.

"There's a lot riding on the judge's decision. But no matter how he (McAfee) decides, there's still going to be people that do not support her (Willis) based on the amount of mud that was that was thrown around at the DA's office and particularly at the DA," James said. "A win won't cure that."

That's why Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon wants to see a new candidate on the ballot.

"I, for one, am tired of DA Willis and I'm ready for a Republican alternative," McKoon said. "It's pretty unusual to have a district attorney with the complicated relationship with the truth that DA Willis seems to have."

Before You Leave, Check This Out