Former Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has claimed victory in the race to become DeKalb County’s next chief executive officer.
With all precincts reporting Tuesday, Cochran-Johnson held a double-digit lead over her opponent, former commissioner Larry Johnson.
Her win is a historic one: Cochran-Johnson will be the first African-American woman to hold the position, and only the second woman ever.
No Republicans ran for the position, meaning the winner certified from Tuesday’s primary run-off will become the next CEO, succeeding a term-limited Michael Thurmond.
Cochran-Johnson came into the race with the least political experience of both of her opponents, Johnson or Commissioner Steve Bradshaw. They each raised more money and boasted of endorsements from political heavy-hitters. But Cochran-Johnson emerged as the top vote-getter in the May primary and went into the run-off as the front-runner.
As precincts began reporting results Tuesday evening, her victory became increasingly certain. She watched results from a hotel room at the Hotel Spice & Sky in Chamblee, where campaign staff colored in a large map as each precinct was called. They discovered the marker meant for coloring in her opponent’s wins was out of ink, but it ended up not being used enough to matter.
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Around 9:30 p.m., Cochran-Johnson joined a crowd chanting “CEO, CEO” that had gathered at the hotel’s restaurant to celebrate. Cochran-Johnson said she would work to disprove those who had doubted her.
“Ever since I started in DeKalb, I’ve been underestimated,” she said. “You have given me an opportunity, and I promise I’ll make you proud.”
“You are a winner,” a woman in the crowd screamed back.
When she launched her campaign, Cochran-Johnson said she viewed caring for DeKalb County as a ministry. She echoed those words Tuesday and said she would be a representative for all of the county’s residents.
“It has truly been a spiritual journey,” she said. “I thank God for everyone who’s here tonight who surrounds me because this is much bigger than myself.”
She said she was proud to make history as the first African-American woman elected to the position and wished her mom was alive to see it.
Johnson called to concede around 10:30 p.m. and the two commiserated about the long and exhausting campaign. Cochran-Johnson told him she hoped the two could work together in the future.
“Just know that I extend my right hand of fellowship to you,” she said.
Johnson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he was grateful to those who had supported him.
“We ran a great race,” he said. “I thank the voters who believed in this campaign. We congratulate CEO-elect Cochran-Johnson on her victory.”
Cochran-Johnson, 54, is an Alabama native who worked in Atlanta media before turning to politics. She was first elected to the District 7 seat that covers the eastern half of the county in 2018.
She focused on public safety as commissioner, introducing legislation to require video surveillance at gas stations, convenience stores and other businesses considered at high risk for crime. The legislation was the first of its kind in the Atlanta metro to be approved. She also backed legislation imposing a moratorium on dollar store developments, in part because of concerns she had about crime happening at the stores.
On the campaign trail, she has emphasized her record as commissioner, saying she did more with her time in office than her opponents.
“Time is not required to produce,” Cochran-Johnson said during an April debate.
Cochran-Johnson has said she wants to reimagine government in DeKalb, and on Tuesday night pledged to get to work immediately.
“You can expect that I will deal with issues that we have not previously touched,” she said.
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Kathie Gannon, a former commissioner and a mentor, told the crowd she was proud of Cochran-Johnson and “knew she was destined for a lot” from the start.
Gannon said the county has too often kicked the can down the road and that Cochran-Johnson would take charge.
“We’ve sat around and waited long enough,” she said.
Pastor Jamal Bryant, who leads New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, said Cochran-Johnson’s win was one for the people.
“Tonight, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson beat the political machine,” he said. “I want you to celebrate who the people wanted as DeKalb CEO.”
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