Fani Willis Challenger Attacks DA's Handling Of YSL Trial: GA Election

ATLANTA, GA — All eyes are on the presidential race, where Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are both vying to be the next head of state, but Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has her own fight toward victory locally.

Willis has ridden along a bumpy road on the campaign trail, with Trump and his allies trying to unseat her from the racketeering case against them in Fulton County. And now, she faces challenger Courtney Kramer, who wants her seat in office.

Willis - a Democrat from Oakland, California - has risen from the local level to gain national attention and is competing against Kramer, a Republican attorney from Alpharetta who practices election and political law.

Aside from the widespread case against Trump, Willis' office is prosecuting a gang case against nationally-known rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and several others.

Prosecutors contend Williams is the leader of an alleged street gang, Young Slime Life, while his defense claims YSL is Williams' record label, Young Stoner Life.

Like in the Trump case, Willis' office has been scrutinized for its handling of Williams' case, including from Kramer. On Aug. 16, Kramer tweeted Fulton County should "end YSL trial now."

She maintained the prosecution in the YSL trial is wasting tax dollars on a trial she said is based on witnesses who have "little to no credibility."

Kramer said, if elected, she would end the YSL trial and release the defendants who are being held without bond.

She jumped at the chance to state her position on other issues, such as sex crimes and safety.

"Fulton County citizens should feel safe in their homes, parking their cars on the street and shopping in their own communities," Kramer said in a news release. "Victims of sex crimes should know that their elected prosecutor prioritizes spending taxpayer dollars clearing the backlog of rape kits and not prosecuting cases for media attention. This is not about right versus left; this is about right versus wrong. Above all else, this is about the future of Fulton County and holding accountable those who are elected to serve and seek actual justice."

Willis, who is the first woman to serve as Fulton County district attorney, has not publicly defended herself against Kramer's criticism.

According to her campaign site, Willis has led efforts to craft new relationships between law enforcement agencies to ensure safety and has further opened the door to making known the way cases are handled.

"She is committed to making fact-based decisions about the law while holding officers accountable where warranted. Fani understands that prosecution is only one part of the strategy when it comes to protecting Fulton County. Her office has partnered with police, other government agencies, schools, religious leaders, and community organizations to build programs that will help those most at-risk to being caught up in the criminal justice system," Willis' campaign site read.

Taking down gang violence and protecting senior citizens from elder abuse are among some of Willis' top priorities. She also vowed to link with schools and other organizations to help keep the youth from troubling behaviors, according to her website.

Willis desires to defend taxpayers and combat government corruption.

Community safety and the transparency of the district attorney's office are among Kramer's concerns, according to her campaign site.

If elected, she will also focus on equal treatment regardless of a person's cultural, socioeconomic and political background. Ethical and professional conduct, both in and out of court, leading a legal system sans "undue political influence" and maintaining core values in the district attorney's office will also be among Kramer's concerns.

Polls will close at 7 p.m., Nov. 5, in the general election. See what to know about early and absentee voting.