Fani Willis easily secured the Democratic nomination for Fulton County district attorney Tuesday, besting a left-leaning primary challenger as she looks ahead to a November contest against a first-time GOP candidate.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis rides in a car while participating in the Inman Park Parade on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Elijah Nouvelage for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Elijah Nouvelage for the AJC

icon to expand image

Credit: Elijah Nouvelage for the AJC

The veteran prosecutor defeated Christian Wise Smith, an attorney and former Fulton solicitor whose platform included legalizing marijuana and emphasizing prison diversion and other criminal justice reform programs.

The Associated Press called the race roughly 30 minutes after polls closed.

Willis is seeking a second term leading the state’s largest local DA’s office as she steers several high-profile racketeering cases, including an election interference probe involving former President Donald Trump and a gang case that’s ensnared several of Atlanta’s most famous rappers.

She will face off this fall against Courtney Kramer, Republican who worked for the Trump White House and the Trump 2020 campaign.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A vote sign helps voters find the voting machines at the River-Green subdivision in Canton during the special election for the state senate seat in Cherokee on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 to complete former state Sen. Brandon Beach’s term, which runs through January 2027. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Delta employees are under investigation because of content “related to the recent murder of activist Charlie Kirk” that “went well beyond healthy, respectful debate,” CEO Ed Bastian wrote in a companywide memo Friday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez