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Fulton County, Ga., District Attorney Fani Willis did not show up for a scheduled debate over the weekend, leading to more questions surrounding her conduct as she and her office face mounting problems.
Attorney Christian Wise Smith, a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination, found himself speaking in front of an empty podium at the Atlanta Press Club event.
Before the debate, a statement from the Willis campaign indicated that the District Attorney was refraining from interviews regarding “high-profile cases” prosecuted by her office, such as the election case and the YSL trial involving Atlanta rapper Young Thug, in anticipation of the May 21 primary.
“We understand that she cannot insist that panelists and her opponent avoid certain subjects, and consequently, her participation means likely repeatedly being unable to respond to questions, as well as risking saying something that defense counsel could make an issue in ongoing litigation,” the statement said.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, a recent poll conducted by political consultant Fred Hicks revealed that Willis holds a commanding lead with 79% support, while Wise Smith trails far behind at 9%. This suggests that the controversy surrounding the romantic involvement of the DA’s now-former special prosecutor, Nathan Wade, is not posing a threat to her re-election prospects, The Daily Wire reported.
Fani Willis skips DA debate.
"Fani declined to participate in the debate and is represented by an empty podium." pic.twitter.com/9MK24gRE5g
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 29, 2024
Wise Smith, who previously lost to Willis in 2020, challenged the incumbent to a debate rematch. “There is no reason we can’t reschedule the debate,” Smith said in a press release. “We are happy to work with her team to do it.”
Courtney Kramer, a lawyer who interned in the Office of the White House Counsel under Trump, is running for the District Attorney position as a Republican.
Kramer, who describes herself as a “MAGA attorney” on her Instagram page, filed to run against Willis in March. Wise Smith, a Democrat who has also served as an Atlanta city solicitor and as a Fulton County prosecutor, also filed that month, CBS News reported.
Party primaries are scheduled for May 21, with the general election on Nov. 5.
At the time, Wise Smith said he had yet to decide formally if he would challenge Willis, but he noted that filing paperwork was a required first step.
“Running for public office is not a decision I take lightly,” Wise Smith said. “I am heavily considering the options as I aim to reach a final determination on my candidacy — ultimately, I only want what is best for the citizens of Fulton County. Should I decide to launch my campaign officially, my team is prepared to take all the necessary steps.”
Kramer also made a statement regarding her candidacy.
Big Fani Willis is no longer running unopposed for Fulton County DA. On the brink of disqualification and disbarment Big Fani will face Attorney Courtney Kramer @supreme_court1 for Fulton DA! Go Courtney!
h/t @PhilHollowayEsq pic.twitter.com/q40qYqPi3p— @amuse (@amuse) March 8, 2024
“As a lawyer myself, it’s disgusting to see her not follow her rules of professional conduct or take her oath of office seriously,” Kramer told Real America’s Voice. “It’s a disgrace to the legal community.”
Willis faces criticism over her connection with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, whom she enlisted to assist in prosecuting former President Donald Trump and his associates in her election interference case. While the couple has claimed under oath that their relationship commenced after Wade’s appointment, some witnesses refute that and say it began long before she filed her charges and hired him. Also, co-defendants in the RICO case contend that it constitutes a conflict of interest, prompting calls for Willis’s office to be disqualified from the prosecution.
Judge Scott McAfee, who is presiding over the case, ordered Willis to fire Wade or remove herself and her entire office from the case; Wade resigned the same day.
Kramer has previously suggested that if it’s found that Willis lied on disclosure forms, the alleged misconduct could escalate beyond an ethics violation. Speaking to The Daily Caller in January, she said there’s a “potential for criminal liability.”