Struggling Trump prosecutor works to keep job as Georgia is one of five states voting Tuesday
Primary contests are in full swing as four states – Georgia, Kentucky, Idaho, and Oregon – gear up for elections that will shape key showdowns in the battle for control of the House in the fall.
One significant event to watch during a day of contests across the country is a county prosecutor primary in Atlanta that will likely grab the spotlight.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is spearheading the prosecution of former President Donald Trump in his 2020 election interference case, faces a Democratic primary challenge from attorney Christian Wise Smith in a rematch of their race four years ago.
Willis has faced intense scrutiny for her role in the racketeering case against Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn his narrow 2020 election loss to President Biden in Georgia.
Just under two months ago, a judge ruled that Willis could continue leading the prosecution as long as Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor she appointed and had a romantic relationship with, resigned from his position.
Although Willis is expected to hold off a challenge in the primary from local attorney Christian Wise Smith, she may face more attacks in the general election from Republican Courtney Kramer, a lawyer who previously interned for Trump.
In addition to the DA race, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the Trump case, is also up for re-election and facing a challenge from attorney and radio host Robert Patillo in a nonpartisan race.
While there are no gubernatorial or Senate races on the ballot this year in Georgia, the state’s 14 congressional districts are set to take center stage.
In the 14th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent Trump ally, runs unopposed in the GOP primary in Georgia’s historically conservative northwestern corner. Four Democratic candidates are vying to challenge Greene in November.
Former President Trump has taken sides in the GOP primary race for the open seat in Georgia’s 3rd District, endorsing former adviser Brian Jack against five rivals in the solidly conservative district.
Incumbent Democrats in re-drawn districts in metropolitan Atlanta – Reps. Lucy McBath and David Scott – face primary challengers, as does Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk.
In Oregon, there’s a fierce battle between the progressive and establishment wings of the Democratic Party in two congressional primaries.
In the 3rd Congressional District, where longtime Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer is retiring, two candidates are locked in a fierce contest to succeed him in a heavily blue district.
The 5th District, a crucial swing district south of Portland, will likely play a pivotal role in determining if the GOP can retain its majority. Democrats will pick a nominee to challenge GOP Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who narrowly won the seat two years ago.
Meanwhile, Republicans will select nominees in Oregon’s 4th and 6th Districts, aiming to flip blue seats to red in the upcoming November elections.
Heading south to California, an all-Republican special Congressional election is set to fill the remainder of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s term in the 20th District, located in the state’s Central Valley.
Vince Fong, a state lawmaker and former district director for McCarthy, has garnered endorsements from both McCarthy and Trump as he faces off against local county sheriff Mike Boudreaux. The winner will secure the seat for the rest of the year, potentially bolstering the GOP’s current razor-thin majority.
The Kentucky primary worth watching is the race in the 4th Congressional District, where Rep. Thomas Massie, a supporter of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primary, is up against Trump supporter Eric Deters in the Republican primary.
Both Kentucky and Oregon are also holding presidential primaries on Tuesday, adding more significance to the day’s electoral activities across the four states.
