Fulton County chair race: What candidates say about federal raid
Fulton commissioner hopefuls discuss DOJ investigation
Fulton County commission chair candidates discuss how to handle an aggressive federal investigation into the 2020 voter rolls as the primary election looms.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The investigation into Fulton County's 2020 election by President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice was top of mind Tuesday for the commissioners running to become the next chair of the Fulton County Commission.
Discussion of voting rights
What we know:
The three Democratic candidates discussed voting rights during a forum on Georgia State University’s campus sponsored by Fair Fight Action.
Early voting is already underway ahead of the May 19 primary contest.
What they're saying:
"Make no mistake about it," Robb Pitts said. "We are at war with President Trump and his allies in Washington."
The forum, hosted by Fair Fight Action, Black Voters Matter and the SPLC Action Fund, centered on the Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation into the county’s handling of the 2020 election.
So far, the federal probe has included a January raid on the Fulton County election office and a federal grand jury subpoena issued in late April. The subpoena demanded personal contact information — including names, addresses and phone numbers — for county election staff members.
"We have to do everything we can to protect our employees," Marvin Arrington Jr. said. "They are just doing their jobs."
President Donald Trump has continued to allege widespread voter fraud in the county, which has historically been a Democratic stronghold.
Ivory argues for more aggressive fiscal approach
While the candidates agreed on the need to resist federal pressure, Commissioner Mo Ivory argued for a more aggressive fiscal approach.
What they're saying:
"I think our answers aren't very much different on this issue, except that I think we need to think about funding our registration and elections department and our legal department in a stronger way," Ivory said.
She also criticized her opponents for failing to block the appointments of what she described as election deniers to the Board of Registration and Elections.
The other side:
Arrington said he was unable to attend the forum because he recently underwent hip replacement surgery. Pitts said he was out of town on a "trade mission."
Local perspective:
Voters attending the forum said they want to see a more unified county government as the federal investigation continues.
Beverly Rice, a southwest Atlanta voter, said there is currently too much division on the board.
"I think they need to come together in order to help the constituents," Rice said.
Incumbents lean on experience
Meanwhile, incumbent candidates leaned on their experience.
What they're saying:
"Fulton County cannot afford more business as usual," Pitts said, warning against "on-the-job training" during a period of federal scrutiny.
The event was co-sponsored by the SPLC Action Fund.
The Southern Poverty Law Center is also facing its own investigation by the Trump Department of Justice regarding the organization’s use of informants within extremist groups.
What's next:
The three candidates will face off in the May 19th primary. Republican Eric Tatum is running unopposed on the GOP ticket.
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The Source: The information in this story was gathered from original reporting by FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo, who attended the candidate forum at Georgia State University sponsored by Fair Fight Action, Black Votes Matter, and the SPLC Action Fund.