Republican incumbent Don Kelly wins District Attorney Chattahoochee Judicial Court

By Sahar Akbarzai

Republican incumbent Don Kelly beat Democratic challenger Anthony Johnson in the District Attorney race for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit in Georgia.

Kelly took a total of 51.77 percent of the vote, 58,047 votes, compared to Johnson who received 48.23 percent of the vote, 54 069 votes, according to election results from the Georgia Secretary of State website.

"I am grateful to all the voters who participated in the election.  I commend my opponent for running a clean campaign based on the issues facing our region," Kelly told The Courier Eco Latino.  "Finally, I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the residents of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit as the District Attorney."

Kelly was appointed as District Attorney by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in May of this year following the death of Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Stacey Jackson, according to a press release from the office of the governor.

Kelly ran a campaign highlighting protecting families from criminals, according to his campaign website.

“Don Kelly’s career has been dedicated to one goal – seeking justice and keeping families safe from violent criminals. Don is running for District Attorney because now, more than ever before, we need a proven leader with a clear mission to protect every citizen from the growing threat of gang violence in our community,” his campaign website says.

Kelly will continue serving as District Attorney for the for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, comprising of six counties: Muscogee, Harris, Marion, Taylor, Talbot, and Chattahoochee, according to the official website for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.

The District Attorney is responsible for criminal cases across all six counties, such as felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases.

Johnson, a private lawyer and former juvenile public defender, began his career in juvenile defense work in Gwinnett, Cobb, Fulton and Dekalb counties after graduating from Cooley Law School in Michigan. Before beginning his campaign,  he practices law in his own law firm specializing in juvenile cases.

Courier Eco Latino has reached out to Johnson for comment.

This story was published with support from the election reporting fellowship at The Pivot Fund, a venture philanthropy organization empowering independent BIPOC-led community news.