Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Judge Scott McAfee emerged victorious in Georgia’s primary election, securing their respective positions in key roles in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his allies. Willis defeated Atlanta attorney Christian Wise Smith in the Democratic primary, while McAfee defeated attorney Robert Patillo in a nonpartisan election. Their wins are crucial as their removal from office could have further delayed the election interference case, which has already faced setbacks.
Willis will now face Republican lawyer Courtney Kramer in the general election. Kramer, who previously worked in the Trump White House and on his campaign, will be her opponent. Meanwhile, Nathan Wade, the lead prosecutor in the Fulton County case, resigned after a ruling by Judge McAfee requiring either him or Willis to step aside due to a perceived conflict of interest. The Georgia Court of Appeals has agreed to review the disqualification ruling, adding even more delays to the trial.
McAfee, who is overseeing the racketeering case against Donald Trump and 14 others, was also successful in his election bid after being appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2022. The Associated Press also projected that Andrew Pinson would win the nonpartisan election for state Supreme Court in Georgia.
It is worth noting that Georgia’s primary election did not include a presidential primary, as that already took place in March. President Joe Biden and Trump had previously won their respective primaries in the state. The victories of Willis and McAfee in the primary election signal continuity in the ongoing legal proceedings against Trump and his associates, despite the challenges they have faced.
