2024 GA Primary Election: Fani Willis, Scott McAfee Face Challengers

ATLANTA, GA — The road to the 2024 Georgia primary has been jagged for Democrat Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her counterpart, nonpartisan Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee.

Willis has gained national attention in the past year as her office leads the prosecution in an election subversion case against former President Donald Trump and 18 allies. McAfee has also been in the spotlight as he sits at the helm of the case.

Both are seeking reelection in their respective positions. (Early voting has ended. See steps below on how to vote on primary day, May 21.)

RELATED: Biden, Trump Score Early Wins In GA Primary; Biden Projected Nominee

On the ballot, Willis is facing challengers Republican attorney Courtney Kramer and Democratic author and attorney Christian Wise Smith. Kramer served in the Trump White House, but CNN said she faces steep odds of winning the job in heavily Democratic Fulton County.

Willis declined a debate invite in mid-April from the Atlanta Press Club, Atlanta News First reported.

A poll done last month showed Willis leading in her race, with 79% support compared with 9% support for second-time challenger Wise Smith, FOX 5 reported.

Meanwhile, McAfee is one of multiple judges being challenged in the 5th Superior Court District Atlanta Circuit, including criminal defense attorney and talk radio host Robert Patillo. If Patillo prevails, he’s expected to take over the cases on McAfee’s docket, which could include the Trump election case, CNN reported.

Those on the ballot for Superior Court judge are as follows, along with McAfee:

• Shukura Lageane Ingram (incumbent)
• Shermela Williams (incumbent)
• Emily Richardson (incumbent)
• Tiffani Johnson
• Robert Patillo
• Rachel Krause (incumbent)
• Brandi Reeves
• Melynee Leftridge Harris (incumbent)
• Ural D. Glanville (incumbent)
• Belinda Edwards (incumbent)
• Eric Dunaway (incumbent)
• Thomas A. Cox Jr. (incumbent)
• Rachelle Carnesale (incumbent)
• Kimberly M. Esmond Adams (incumbent)

All candidates for superior court judge are nonpartisan.

Accusations, Appeals and No Resolve

Trump, a Republican, has been accused of trying to interfere with the 2020 presidential election, during which he lost the race to current Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump and 18 others were indicted on several charges in August 2023 after being accused of trying to overturn the election results in Georgia, which helped give Biden a narrow victory.

Since the indictments, Willis has faced backlash as she battles appeals and accusations against her involving misuse of funds and her alleged improper relationship with her former top prosecutor, Nathan Wade.

RELATED: GA Lawmaker Calls For Probe Into Fulton DA Amid Misconduct Allegations

McAfee has overseen hearings and appeals in the election interference case against Trump.

Trump defendants have made several motions to remove Willis. But, they are not the only ones who want Willis gone from the case.

Willis was accused of being romantically involved with Wade, and a whistleblower has accused Willis' office of misusing federal money from the Department of Justice.

Multiple politicians have called for Willis' removal from the election interference case and have accused her of criminal misconduct, including U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

A motion brought forth by former Trump campaign official Mike Roman forced Wade off the Trump case when McAfee ruled in mid-March that either Wade or Willis should leave the case due to the appearance of impropriety stemming from the pair's former romantic relationship.

RELATED: Trump Can Appeal Ruling Keeping Fulton DA On RICO Case, Judge: Report

The judge said there was no "actual conflict" due to their relationship, which would have disqualified Willis. Wade ultimately resigned from the case.

A Georgia appeals court said it will review McAfee's ruling, Axios reported.

McAfee allowed Trump and others to appeal his ruling that permitted Willis to stay on the subversion case, and since that time, several appeals have been filed to bar Willis from the case.

Former Georgia GOP director David Shafer, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, former chairwoman of the Coffee County Republican Party Cathy Latham and Roman have all joined Trump in filing appeals against McAfee's Willis ruling.

RELATED: GA Lawmaker Floats Impeaching Fulton DA Amid Trump Indictment

No rulings have yet been made in those appeals, and Willis remained on the case as of press time.

Trump was initially charged on suspicion of violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, three counts of solicitation of violation of oath by public officer, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, two counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery, two counts of conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, conspiracy to commit filing false documents, filing false documents and false statements and writings.

However, McAfee quashed on March 13 six counts of solicitation of violation of oath by public officer against Trump, Giuliani, Meadows, Cheeley and attorneys Ray Smith and John Eastman.

An official trial date has not been set for Trump.

How To Vote In Person On Election Day In Georgia

Register to vote through the Secretary of State’s Office. Check if you are eligible and submit a voter registration application before the deadline. Also, check whether your voter registration is active on the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

Have a valid photo identification. Georgia residents must show a valid photo ID when voting in person. Acceptable forms of voter identification include a driver’s license or a U.S. passport. The State of Georgia also offers a free voter ID card, which can be issued at any County Board of Registrar's Office and can be used to vote.

Go to Your Polling Place

On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling place. You can find your assigned polling location on your voter registration card, by logging into the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page, or by contacting your County Board of Registrar's Office. Polling places are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you are allowed to cast your ballot.

When you get to your polling place, show your photo ID to the poll worker. They will check your photo ID, verify that you are registered and at the correct polling location, issue you a voter access card or ballot, whichever is applicable, and allow you to vote. Learn how to vote at polling places in Georgia.

If you show up to your polling place but have not met all the requirements listed above, you have the right to request a provisional ballot. Your vote will count as long as you resolve the eligibility issues within three days after Election Day. Learn more about provisional ballots.

If you encounter a problem at the polls, contact your County Board of Registrar's Office or the Georgia Secretary of State. Call the Secretary of State at 404-656-2871 (in metro Atlanta) or 877-725-9797 (elsewhere in Georgia) to report an issue. You can also submit a complaint online to the Secretary of State Elections Division.