War of Words Erupts Over Fulton County Elections After FBI Raid

Republican senator calls for state takeover of county elections office, while Democratic leader calls the idea 'laughable'

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A heated debate unfolded at the Georgia Capitol on Wednesday over the management of elections in Fulton County, with a Republican state senator calling for the state to take over the county's elections office following an FBI raid on a Fulton election facility. The county's Democratic leader dismissed the senator's proposal as 'laughable' and defended the integrity of the county's elections.

Why it matters

Fulton County, which includes the city of Atlanta, has been a frequent target of criticism from Republicans over alleged election mismanagement, despite a lack of evidence of widespread fraud. The ongoing dispute highlights the politically charged nature of election administration in Georgia, a key battleground state.

The details

Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal pointed to a recently unsealed FBI affidavit that showed issues with the 2020 election in Fulton County, including some ballots being scanned twice and other ballot images missing. Dolezal said 'it's past time for the state to take over Fulton County elections.' However, Fulton Commission Chairman Robb Pitts, a Democrat, dismissed Dolezal's proposal as 'laughable' and said numerous reviews and audits had given the county's election operation 'a clean bill of health.' Pitts accused the Trump administration of orchestrating a 'sinister plot' to disrupt upcoming elections by raiding the Fulton election facility.

  • The FBI raid on a Fulton election facility occurred last month.
  • The debate at the Georgia Capitol took place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Greg Dolezal

A Republican state senator who is running for lieutenant governor and called for the state to take over Fulton County's elections office.

Robb Pitts

The Democratic chairman of the Fulton County Commission, who defended the integrity of the county's elections and accused the Trump administration of orchestrating a 'sinister plot' against Fulton County.

Brad Raffensperger

The Republican Georgia Secretary of State, who has repeatedly said the state's elections are safe and secure.

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What they’re saying

“'It's past time for the state to take over Fulton County elections'”

— Greg Dolezal, Republican state senator (capitol-beat.org)

“'There's no such thing as a perfect election. There's always a possibility of human error. There's always a possibility of mechanical failure. But there has not been any organized effort in Fulton County, Georgia to manipulate the outcome of any election.'”

— Robb Pitts, Fulton County Commission Chairman (capitol-beat.org)

“'Fulton County is the poster child here. If they're successful here in Fulton County, Georgia, they're going to take this show on the road.'”

— Robb Pitts, Fulton County Commission Chairman (capitol-beat.org)

What’s next

The judge overseeing the case related to the FBI raid on the Fulton election facility will make a decision on whether to allow the state to take over the county's elections office.

The takeaway

The ongoing dispute over election management in Fulton County highlights the deeply partisan nature of election administration in Georgia, a key battleground state. Despite a lack of evidence of widespread fraud, Republican officials continue to raise concerns about the integrity of elections in the county, while Democratic leaders defend the county's election processes and accuse the GOP of orchestrating a 'sinister plot' to undermine elections.