CNN projects Fani Willis and Scott McAfee to win Georgia elections amidst Trump trial

CNN projects that two key figures in the election interference trial involving former President Donald Trump in Georgia will successfully defend their positions in the upcoming elections on Tuesday.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney leading the prosecution against Trump, is expected to emerge victorious in her Democratic primary rematch against attorney and author Christian Wise Smith.

Judge Scott McAfee, who is handling the former president's case, is expected to win his nonpartisan election for Fulton County Superior Court.

The 2020 election interference case in Georgia faced delays due to a debate over whether Willis should be removed. This was because she was found to have a romantic relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade. Despite this, Willis remained in her position while Wade resigned in March. The appeals court has announced plans to review the decision of allowing Willis to continue overseeing the case.

The Trump case is currently at a standstill, with a legal argument before the Supreme Court regarding the former president's immunity from prosecution still unresolved. This issue in the Georgia case may not be decided until this summer.

Wise Smith, who was Willis' primary opponent, finished third in the 2020 Democratic primary for Fulton County district attorney. In this year's campaign, he raised concerns about the resources being devoted to Trump's prosecution by Willis' office. Wise Smith expressed empathy for Willis, stating in a March interview with CNN's Laura Coates that it was unfortunate her personal life had become so public.

Willis will be up against Republican attorney Courtney Kramer in the upcoming election. Kramer previously worked in the White House counsel’s office under Trump. Despite being unopposed in the Republican primary, Kramer is considered the heavy underdog in deep-blue Fulton County, where most of Atlanta is located. In the 2020 election, Trump received 26% of the vote in the county, while Joe Biden received 73%.

In a nonpartisan general election on Tuesday, McAfee competed against criminal defense lawyer and talk radio host Robert Patillo. Patillo, who identifies as a “conservative Democrat,” had criticized McAfee’s decision not to remove Willis from the prosecution following the revelation of her romantic relationship with Wade.

Tiffani Johnson, another contender, was disqualified from challenging McAfee after not showing up for a hearing to verify her eligibility.

McAfee, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in December 2022 to fill a retirement vacancy, participated in his first election on Tuesday.

Campaigning in Atlanta on Tuesday, McAfee shared with CNN how much he had loved being out on the trail. He mentioned that they are usually in a legal bubble, just talking to lawyers. McAfee added that it was refreshing to connect with different people outside of that bubble.

McAfee expressed his desire to enhance voters' trust in institutions. "In my own way, I strive to build and strengthen that trust," the judge stated.

McAfee received significant financial support for his campaign, thanks to backing from both Democrats and Republicans. At a recent fundraising event, prominent figures such as Kemp and former Governor Roy Barnes showed their support for McAfee. Kemp may end up being a witness in the Trump case, while Barnes has already been a witness in the Willis disqualification issue.

CNN's Ryan Young and Devon M. Sayers provided additional information for this report.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming elections in Georgia will have significant implications for the ongoing trial involving former President Donald Trump's alleged election interference. Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney leading the prosecution, is expected to retain her position, while Judge Scott McAfee, handling Trump's case, is likely to win his election for Fulton County Superior Court.

These outcomes suggest that the trial will continue as planned, despite ongoing legal challenges and questions surrounding Willis's personal conduct. It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will rule on Trump's immunity claims, but the elections provide a clear indication that the case will proceed and potentially reach a resolution in the coming months. The outcome of the trial will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for Trump and his allies, as well as for the future of election integrity in the United States.