DA Fani Willis speaks during event with faith leaders in Fulton County
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Several prominent figures in Georgia's Black faith community, including Bishop Reginald Jackson of the Sixth Episcopal District of the AME Church and Reverend Timothy McDonald of the First Iconium Baptist Church, gathered Monday morning on Auburn Avenue across from Big Bethel AME Church. The purpose of the gathering was to formally endorse Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for re-election.
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"We are here to stand in solidarity with Fulton County's DA, who has become the peoples' DA," said Rev. McDonald.
Among the endorsing leaders were Dr. John Foster of Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. Cynthia Hale of Ray of Hope Christian Church, Dr. Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, and Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner of the National African American Clergy Network. Also joining are Reverend Shanan Jones, President of Concerned Black Clergy of Metro Atlanta, and Reverend Andre Osborne, Regional Vice-President of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia.
"People keep wondering, ‘How does she keep getting back up to do her job, and why does she even want to get back up to do the job?’ They just don’t understand the God I serve," Willis said in response to the support Monday.
Willis announced she would be running her own re-election campaign while indicting former President Donald Trump for allegedly conspiring to subvert the results of the 2020 election in Georgia.
Bishop Jackson commended Willis for her effectiveness, fearlessness, and commitment to justice in Fulton County. Reverend McDonald emphasized the African-American faith community's support for Willis, stating their readiness to stand by her against detractors and critics.
"Fani Willis has proven herself to be an effective, fearless, and courageous District Attorney determined to defend and prioritize the pursuit of justice throughout Fulton County," stated Bishop Reginald T. Jackson. "I am proud to call her my friend and look forward to bringing the multi-denominations of Georgia’s African-American Faith community together to showcase her leadership, passion, and results for Fulton County."
Willis is expected to face one Democratic challenger, former prosecutor Christian Wise Smith.
On the right, she will face Republican lawyer Courtney Kramer who has identified herself as a "MAGA Attorney."
The primary election is scheduled for May 21, ahead of the general election on Nov. 5.
A poll last week suggested Willis had a commanding lead.
Fani Willis says she will not voluntarily appear before investigative committee
During Monday's endorsements, Willis slammed a Republican-led state senate committee investigating any use of tax dollars during her relationship with former Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade.
The chairman promised to subpoena her to make her testify in the case.
Related: Fani Willis could refuse to testify before Republican-led senate investigation committee
"First of all, I don’t think they even have the authority to subpoena me, but they need to learn the law," Willis said.
Fulton County Commissioner Chair Robb Pitts appeared on Friday under a subpoena.
When asked by FOX 5 Atlanta, Willis said she would not voluntarily appear before the investigative committee.
"I will not appear to anything that is unlawful, and I have not broken the law," Willis told FOX 5. "I’ve set it amongst these leaders. I’m sorry folks get pissed off that everybody gets treated equally."
FOX 5 reached out to the chairman of the committee who maintained that they do have the power to subpoena Willis. He also said she could be held in contempt if she refused to show.
Lt. Governor Burt Jones issued a statement after Willis' remarks, saying:
"If subpoenaed by the Committee, she will be required to appear or she will be in violation of Georgia law," said Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. "This is what treating everybody evenly looks like, even if DA Willis doesn’t like being held accountable."
Willis and Wade controversy
Willis has been surrounded by controversy since a motion was filed in January to have her disqualified from prosecuting former President Donald Trump and his allies for interfering in the 2020 Georgia presidential election.
The motion accused her of an improper relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade. She was also accused of financially benefiting from the relationship and the investigation into Trump.
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After months of drama and a court hearing, the Fulton County Superior Court judge presiding over the case gave Willis and Wade a choice – one of them would have to step aside or someone else would have to take over the case. Wade resigned a few hours later. On Sunday, Wade spoke about the relationship during an exclusive interview with ABC News.
The Senate Special Committee on Investigations was formed in January to also look into the relationship and allegations and determine if any laws need to be changed. The committee held its third meeting last week.
Willis was also the target of an investigation of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee for potentially colluding with the January 6 committee and her relationship with Wade.
Additionally, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed an ethics complaint against Willis.
The Georgia Supreme Court is currently considering whether it will hear an appeal of the judge's ruling allowing Willis to stay on the case. They must make a decision by May 13.