Attorney Erikka Williams is challenging Houston County District Attorney George Hartwig in this year

Houston County's Current District Attorney George Hartwig says this is his county and he’s not ready to leave

Joining us for 41nbc news at 6:00.

I'm shelby coates.

Tucker sargent will join us shortly.

Our top story tonight at 6: attorney erikka williams is challenging houston county district attorney george hartwig in this year's election.

Williams currently works for hartwig as the chief assistant.

And she says the county needs a change.

Meanwhile... hartwig says... he is the best choice.

41nbc jatrissa wooten spoke with both candidates... and has more.

"it's been an honor and pleasure to serve as the d.a of this county for the last 10 years and i think the voters are going to make the right choice and i look forward to serving as the d.a for this county for another 4 years," said george hartwig district attorney for houston county.

Houston county's current district attorney george hartwig says this is his county and he's not ready to leave.

Challenger erikka williams says hartwig isn't the same guy citizens voted for 10 years ago.

She says the current status of the d.a office is lacking structure, which she can provide.

"i am the right combination of someone that cares about what's going on in this county.

I'm tough but fair in court," said erikka williams: chief assistant district attorney, houston judicial circuit.

Hartwig disagrees.

"i'm tough on crime and i dont she's going to be," said hartwig.

Hartwig says as d.a., he has kept all of his promises such as prosecuting serious violent criminals and keeping the community safe.

There hasn't been a large increase in murders compared to bibb county.

Hartwig says his experience gives him an edge.

"i was a police officer in broward county florida," said hartwig.

"i came to georgia to go to law school at mercer and ended up being in private practice.

Did civil law for about 10 years in macon."

Williams says she too has years of experience.

She's worked in the houston county da's office for 18 years.

The mother of two says she started in juvenile court, worked her way to felony case prosecutions, then to chief assistant.

She says she handles all kinds of cases including violent felonies.

"i been awarded for my community service by the state bar of georgia.

I even had a resolution in my name at the state legislature for my role on elder abuse cases," said williams. both williams and hartwig say houston county is great but there are issues that should be addressed.

According to williams, property crimes, the increase of violent crimes such as shootings, and office structure are issues she hoping to solve.

"what i would like to do is see us take control of part of the backlog that we can control and we do that by looking at some of the cases and determining which ones we can resolve with resolve with alternative prosecutions or other types of programing," said williams. "those types of things there's a c1 3 b13 place for them and we have that now.

But when