Chatham County's first new district attorney in nearly three decades is facing a tough fight for re-election.

The race is one of the most watched election contests in the coastal city.

Democrat Larry Chisolm replaced long-time DA Spencer Lawton and right after taking over, many in the office left.

That created what Chisolm's critics describe as an inexperienced team mishandling prosecutions.

The DA points to his staff's credentials and successful convictions.

"It's very easy for people to make suggestions," Chisolm says. "But the suggestions need to be supported by some evidence or proof."

Republican Meg Heap was Chisolm's second-in-command until she left to run against her former boss.

"Cases were being mishandled," Heap says. "Justice wasn't being done for people who had been victimized by crime."

The race has taken on added interest because of a rise in commercial robberies and assaults with guns over the past two years.

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