DeKalb County is gearing up for a political showdown as former Commissioners Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Larry Johnson are set to face off in a runoff on June 18 after failing to secure a decisive majority in the primary race for County CEO. In an electoral bout that saw no candidate able to claim over half of the vote, Cochran-Johnson led with 46%, followed by Johnson's 34%, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Cochran-Johnson and Johnson are vying to replace the outgoing CEO Michael Thurmond, who is stepping down after eight years at the helm. During his tenure, Thurmond focused on a variety of initiatives including delivering balanced budgets and tackling water billing issues. The former state representative and author’s next steps remain unknown.
Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, who entered the political fray in 2018 when she was elected to the Board of Commissioners, is relying on a platform that zeroes in on the housing crisis and public safety. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, her policies are tailored towards gun violence, youth empowerment, and backing small businesses. On her campaign strategy, Cochran-Johnson expressed to 11Alive, “By capturing what I’ve brought out, I want to keep people motivated because I had a very strong women’s presence in this race."
Her opponent, health advocate Larry Johnson, with 22 years under his belt as a county commissioner, emphasizes healthcare, particularly mental health, as a priority. “Working to make sure we have a strong health system around mental health. We have too many folks on the street, and they end up in the Dekalb County jail, and that’s not the place," Johnson told 11Alive. The race ultimately boils down to which candidate can sway more of voters in their favor, with both contenders expressing confidence in their community connection efforts.
The stakes are high, as the winner of the runoff will claim the CEO position with no Republican challenger waiting in the wings. This decisive match comes in a time where affordable housing and public safety are at the forefront of the DeKalb County constituents’ concerns. The coming weeks are sure to intensify as Johnson and Cochran-Johnson hustle to win over the electorate and take the reins of Georgia’s fourth-most populous county.
