Crowded field for DeKalb CEO, commissioner races
Three county commissioners will face off to be DeKalb County’s next chief executive officer.
Democrats Steve Bradshaw, Larry Johnson and Lorraine Cochran-Johnson all qualified for the May 21 primary. No Republicans filed to run, giving whichever Democrat wins an uncontested path to the job.
Bradshaw currently represents District 4, which covers a swath of central DeKalb stretching from Decatur to Stone Mountain. First elected to the commission in 2016, Bradshaw is a former U.S. Army officer who has worked as a business development executive and adjunct college professor.
Johnson has represented Southwest DeKalb’s District 3 since 2002. He has a background in public health and has served as president of the National Association of Counties.
Lorraine Cochran-Johnson was first elected in 2018 to the Super District 7 seat representing the eastern half of the county. She was a media executive before taking public office.
Current CEO Michael Thurmond is term-limited. Thurmond hasn’t shared what he plans to do after he leaves office but has said he doesn’t think his time in politics is over.
Several county commissioner seats are also on the ballot and contested.
In District 1, which covers the northern part of DeKalb, Commissioner Robert Patrick faces a challenge from Andy Yeoman, a Doraville council member.
In District 4, four have qualified in the race to succeed Bradshaw: Lance Hammonds, Chakira Johnson, Gabrielle Rogers and Rita Scott. Hammonds is a real estate agent and president of the DeKalb County branch of the NAACP. Chakira Johnson is a city engineer for the city of South Fulton. Rogers is a marketing director. Scott represents DeKalb on MARTA’s board of directors.
In District 5, which covers Southeast DeKalb, Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson is being challenged by Gina Smith Mangham. Mangham is an attorney.
In District 6, a super district that covers the western half of the county, Commissioner Ted Terry is running unopposed.
The following candidates also qualified:
- Chief Magistrate: Incumbent Berryl Anderson is running unopposed.
- Clerk of Superior Court: Incumbent Debra DeBerry is running unopposed.
- Sheriff: Incumbent Melody Maddox is running unopposed.
- Solicitor General: Incumbent Donna Coleman-Stribling is running unopposed.
- Tax Commissioner: Incumbent Irvin Johnson is running unopposed.
Several state court judges’ seats are also on the ballot.
- Three people qualified for the seat currently held by Judge Wayne Purdom, who is not seeking re-election: Mecca Anderson, Yolanda Mack and Dionne McGee.
- Judge Ana Maria Martinez is facing a challenge from Tyshawn Yvonne Jackson.
- Judges Charles Bailey, Mike Jacobs, Kiesha Storey, Ronald Bernard Ramsey and Brian Ross are each running unopposed.
Probate Court Judge Bedelia Hargrove is running unopposed.
Election 2024 includes two primaries
The 2024 election year will include two primaries for voters in metro Atlanta and Georgia. The presidential primary is set for March 12, one week after Super Tuesday primaries in a number of states.
The second primary in Georgia will be May 21 for candidates seeking state and local offices and U.S. Congress. The ballot will also include candidates for county commission and the Georgia Legislature, among others, and some local referendums.
Presidential primary information: Candidate Issues Guide | Where do I vote?
Here are key dates for the state and local primary:
- March 4-8: Candidates file paperwork to qualify for the primary. See an updated list of candidates who have submitted paperwork.
- March 4: The first date voters can request absentee ballots.
- April 22: Voter registration deadline.
- April 29: Early in-person voting begins.
- May 21: Election day for the state and local primary. Runoff date would be June 18.
Learn more: Follow state and congressional election news, and the presidential race, on our Politics page. News about city and county elections is on the Metro Atlanta page. Coverage and information will also be found in AJC print and ePaper editions.
About the Author
Sara Gregory covers transportation for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Previously, she covered local government in DeKalb County. A Charlotte native, she joined the paper in 2023 after working at newspapers in South Carolina and Virginia.
