March 27th 2024.
A former prosecutor, Christian Wise Smith, has decided to throw his hat in the ring and run for the Democratic nomination to challenge Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Smith, who initially announced his candidacy in March of 2024, took a brief hiatus to consider his options before ultimately deciding to press forward with his campaign.
In a statement, Smith emphasized the importance of primaries in the democratic process, stating that voters deserve a choice. He believes that he can be that choice and bring about much-needed change to the justice system in Fulton County. His ultimate goal is to make Fulton County the safest county in the entire country.
Smith and his Republican opponent, Courtney Kramer, face an uphill battle in the predominantly Democratic county. With Willis being a well-known figure in the state, she holds a significant advantage over the two challengers. However, Smith believes that his approach to prosecution, which puts a heavy focus on the victims, could sway voters in his favor. Both he and Kramer could also use the race as an opportunity to criticize Willis for her handling of the high-profile racketeering case involving former President Trump and 18 others.
It's worth noting that Smith is not challenging Willis based on her handling of the election interference trial or the recent ruling regarding her alleged relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Instead, he is choosing to focus on more positive themes, such as working with the community to find solutions and implementing victim-centered prosecution. He also hopes to address issues such as mass incarceration, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the fear of crime.
Smith's personal history has played a significant role in shaping his views on crime. As reported by Fox News, he was expelled from school at the young age of 17 and was heading down a dangerous path. However, a chance encounter with a police officer who took an interest in him changed his life. He was able to turn things around, finish his education, and eventually become an attorney in 2012. Smith credits this experience with his desire to make the country a safer place, particularly for young people.
Prior to his current campaign, Smith served as both Atlanta City Solicitor and a prosecutor in Fulton County. During his 2020 campaign, he received nearly 23% of the Democratic vote. Some of his campaign promises included no longer seeking the death penalty, eliminating cash bail, and decriminalizing drug possession. After ultimately dropping out of the race, Smith endorsed District Attorney Paul Howard in the runoff, expressing concern over Willis receiving the support of the Atlanta Police Union.
In the end, however, it was Willis who emerged victorious in the head-to-head runoff against Howard, a six-term incumbent. She has already filed her paperwork to qualify for re-election and has made it clear that she is not fazed by her challengers. She remains committed to bringing former President Trump to justice.
The party primaries are scheduled for May 21, with the general election taking place on November 5. It remains to be seen if Smith's campaign will be able to make a significant impact, but one thing is for sure: this race is shaping up to be an interesting one.
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