The hard-fought race for Fulton County District Attorney may just be getting started.
With 25 percent of the precincts reporting, six-term incumbent Paul Howard is trailing Fani Willis, his former chief deputy prosecutor, 40 to 34 percent. Christian Wise Smith, another former Fulton assistant district attorney, checks in with 25 percent of the vote.
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If none of the candidates receive more than 50 percent, a runoff will be held Aug. 11 featuring the top two vote-getters.
Howard is seeking a seventh term as he faces three civil lawsuits from female employees past and present alleging harassment. He’s also under investigation by the GBI for use of a nonprofit to supplement his salary.
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Willis made her former boss’ character a central issue of the campaign. Howard has fought back hard over the past week, alleging Willis is a Republican stalking horse who, in exchange for the Atlanta Police Union’s endorsement, agreed not to prosecute cops for excessive force. He supplied no proof in support of those accusations.
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