Attorney Christian Wise Smith, a Democrat running for Fulton County district attorney, has criticized his rival Fani Willis for her focus on former President Donald Trump’s election interference case, stating that it leaves other priorities neglected in Georgia’s largest county. Willis became nationally known for leading the investigation that led to indictments against Trump and his allies for allegedly attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results. The scandal involving a romantic relationship Willis had with a special prosecutor in the case has also raised concerns about conflicts of interest.
Despite concerns raised about Willis’ handling of the Trump case and other pressing issues in Fulton County, Judge Scott McAfee ruled that she could remain on the case as long as the special prosecutor resigned. Willis denied allegations that she had been “profiting personally” from the prosecution and maintained that the relationship began after the special prosecutor was hired. However, McAfee criticized the prosecutors’ relationship, calling it a “tremendous lapse in judgment.” The situation has led to claims that other important issues in Fulton County are being overlooked due to the focus on the Trump case.
Wise Smith raised concerns about Willis’ focus on the Trump case and suggested that it has left many vulnerable residents in Fulton County. He cited a recent lawsuit brought against Willis by the Barred Business Foundation, which advocates for the rights of the incarcerated. The lawsuit alleges that people are being held in jail for extended periods, leading to poor conditions and deaths. Wise Smith believes he can lead the ongoing prosecution of Trump and his allies while addressing critical issues within the district attorney’s office and the county.
Despite facing an uphill battle in the upcoming primary against Willis, Wise Smith is campaigning on issues important to Fulton County residents, such as mass incarceration, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the legalization of marijuana. A recent poll showed that a majority of likely Democratic voters plan to support Willis, but Wise Smith remains confident in his campaign leading up to the primary. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Courtney Kramer in the general election in November.
In his interview with an Atlanta news affiliate, Wise Smith expressed sympathy for Willis, stating that he did not enter the race to make personal attacks against her. Instead, he focused on his vision for the district attorney’s office and the issues he hopes to address if elected. While acknowledging the challenges Willis has faced due to the public scrutiny of her personal life, Wise Smith emphasized that his approach to campaigning is focused on policy differences rather than personal matters. Ultimately, the campaign for Fulton County district attorney will be decided by voters in the primary and general elections.
