Bidding for a seventh term, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard would seem an unlikely underdog.
But, with just under three weeks until the Democratic primary, Howard is facing the fight of his political life. Two former Fulton prosecutors, hired by Howard, are vying to replace him. They’ve all been invited to appear today, via Zoom, at 1 p.m. for a virtual debate.
The debate will stream live on Facebook and on
RELATED: Howard, former deputies spar in Fulton DA debate
Fani Willis, who once supervised the Fulton DA’s trial division, has raised more than twice as much money as the incumbent (and more than her opponents’ combined). Her campaign debuted two television ads this week, one focusing on her resume and the other on Howard.
Willis has made the veteran prosecutor's conduct in office a central theme in her campaign. Since last December, three current and former female employees have sued Howard alleging harassment.
Meanwhile, the GBI is investigating his use of a nonprofit to funnel at least $140,000 in city of Atlanta funds to supplement his salary. That atypical arrangement prompted the state ethics commission to accuse him of a dozen violations.
“We will not waste your taxpayer dollars for litigation for misconduct by me or any of my staff,” Willis said in a debate held last month.
Howard has denied any wrongdoing and predicts exoneration “if the facts are followed” by the GBI.
He has emphasized his experience on the job and points to a 70 percent reduction in violent crime since he took office in 1997.
“We’ve rebuilt and modernized the DA’s office,” he said.
Christian Wise-Smith says he will change the current mindset of “conviction by any means necessary.” He wants to eliminate cash bail, a system he says “disproportionately discriminates against black people and poor people.”
Wednesday’s forum will be hosted by NowThis, a social media-focused news organization, and The Appeal, which examines criminal justice issues. Emily Bazelon, staff writer at The New York Times Magazine and the Truman Capote Fellow for Creative Writing and Law at Yale Law School, will moderate.
About the Author
