Fani Willis Gives Update on Reelection Campaign

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is officially running for reelection in November, seeking another four years as the top prosecutor in Georgia's largest county.

Willis filed paperwork to qualify in the race on Wednesday, telling reporters at the state Capitol that she doesn't expect it to be as exciting as it was when she ran for district attorney in 2020 but "turns out the second time it's still a charm."

Willis' reelection bid comes amid ongoing calls to disqualify her from her high-profile election interference case against Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants. A January motion filed by one of the 18 has upended the case, accusing Willis of misconduct by hiring boyfriend Nathan Wade to join the case's prosecution. Willis and Wade, who have since admitted to being romantically involved, maintain that their relationship did not begin until after he was hired as the lead prosecutor.

Describing Fulton County as "where I want to keep safe," Willis described her time as district attorney as "the greatest honor of my entire life" and thanked the "outpouring of support that I continue to get."

Earlier in the day, a Georgia Senate committee investigating Willis held its first hearing, during which attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who was the first to reveal the Willis-Wade relationship and is representing one of the co-defendants, testified about how she discovered the couple were dating.

Hours later, Willis, who said she watched "bits and pieces" of the hearing, called the committee's probe "just a political quest."

"I think that people are angry because I'm going to do the right thing," she said. "And I'm going to stand up for justice, no matter who is the person that may have done wrong in Fulton County. And so they can continue on with their games, and I'm going continue to do the work of the people."

Asked if she would testify before the panel if she were called by legislators, Willis said she would discuss it with her lawyer and decide with him about whether to appear.

Although no challengers had filed to run against Willis as of Friday morning, according to Georgia's secretary of state, Willis said she welcomes a challenge from anyone wanting to replace her.

"This is a democracy we live in and so people have a right to run for office, but they should come prepared for a fight," she said. "They should know that my heart is still in this work. My heart will continue to be in this work and I intend to be the DA for the next four years and nine months."

Willis first ran for the district attorney's office in 2020, defeating incumbent Paul Howard Jr. with more than 71 percent of the Democratic primary vote. She went on to win the general election unchallenged.