Two key players in Donald J. Trump’s criminal case in Georgia secured re-election on Tuesday night, as reported by The Associated Press. Judge Scott McAfee emerged victorious in a general election race, while Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, won the Democratic primary.
Both candidates were frontrunners in their respective races, despite facing challenges following the election-interference case involving Mr. Trump and his associates. Defense attorneys raised concerns about Ms. Willis’s romantic relationship with a lawyer hired for the prosecution, which became public in January, leading to allegations of a conflict of interest. Judge McAfee was asked to remove her from the case in Fulton County Superior Court.
Ms. Willis vehemently opposed the motion, and in March, Judge McAfee ruled that she could continue on the Trump case if the lawyer in question, Nathan J. Wade, stepped down, which he promptly did. The Georgia Court of Appeals has since agreed to review this decision.
Despite facing criticism, Ms. Willis and Judge McAfee had certain advantages as voters in Fulton County went to the polls. Ms. Willis, challenged by Christian Wise Smith, a former prosecutor, enjoyed strong name recognition in the heavily Democratic and predominantly Black area of Fulton County.
Ms. Willis has suggested that racial bias influenced the attacks against her, a viewpoint that resonated with some constituents and earned her endorsements from prominent Black preachers in the Atlanta area. She is set to compete against Republican lawyer Courtney A. Kramer in the November general election.
Judge McAfee, a conservative appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp, faced competition from civil rights lawyer and radio host Robert Patillo II in the nonpartisan election. Despite criticism of his handling of the Willis case, Judge McAfee’s endorsements from Gov. Kemp and former Gov. Roy Barnes helped secure his re-election.
Mr. Patillo, who received fewer campaign contributions compared to the incumbent, had voiced disapproval of Judge McAfee’s decision regarding the Willis matter. However, the endorsements and financial support for Judge McAfee proved instrumental in his successful bid for re-election.
