A changing of the guard in DeKalb
DeKalb Dems to choose new CEO in primary as incumbent steps aside
A changing of the guard is underway in DeKalb County.
Three highly-qualified candidates are competing in a Democratic primary election Tuesday to serve the county’s next chief executive. They aim to replace Michael Thurmond, the widely respected incumbent and a former state labor chief, who is stepping aside after two terms at the helm of an at times chaotic county government.
All three candidates running for CEO are current or former members of the DeKalb County Commission: Steve Bradshaw, Larry Johnson and Lorraine Cochran-Johnson have gone from colleagues to opponents as they aim to take over county government in one of Georgia’s largest counties.
No Republican signed up to run for CEO, putting the primary on par with the general election in this strongly Democratic-leaning county.
The trio of candidates spent their only televised debate weighing in on several issues facing the county, from affordable housing, to sanitation services, emergency responses and sewer line repairs.
Cochran-Johnson, a county commissioner from 2019 until her resignation to mount a bid for CEO, said that affordable housing remains “problematic” in DeKalb.
She would like to see state lawmakers repeal laws that allow landlords to overcharge renters, which she says has disproportionately impacted the county’s older residents.
Bradshaw, a commissioner since 2017, was asked how he would improve emergency services after an AJC investigation found that DeKalb has been putting half of its 911 callers on hold — the highest rate of any metro Atlanta county.
“Out of the 21 agencies the AJC reviewed, not only did DeKalb County E-911 have the largest share of callers waiting on hold, but its officials also had the most trouble complying with laws that require public access to government records.”
Bradshaw says money has been appropriated for things like new ambulances and that he plans to work “collaboratively” with mayors across the county to help improve 911 responses.
Johnson, whose tenure on the board of commissioners has spanned more than two decades, had high praise for the outgoing incumbent whom he hopes to succeed.
“I think our CEO, Michael Thurmond, is a transformational leader,” Johnson said. “A leader who cares and understands people.”
CEO Thurmond says he has no immediate plans to throw his support behind any of the three candidates. But he echoed a similarly positive sentiment about them and also hinted that an endorsement could come if the race goes to a runoff.
“As I stated, we have three, I think — exceptional candidates,” he said in an interview. “But there is a definite possibility that I will endorse someone in the runoff, which is almost certain to occur.”
The top two candidates will compete again in June if no one clears 50% in Tuesday’s primary election.