The DeKalb County Commission delayed another attempt Tuesday to confirm a commissioner representing the southeastern part of the county after previous efforts to fill the seat failed.

The commission voted to wait until next month before deciding between five candidates who are seeking to represent 140,000 residents.

The southeast DeKalb area has lacked a county representative for more than 20 months since their elected commissioner, Lee May, was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to replace suspended CEO Burrell Ellis. Ellis is awaiting a June 1 retrial on charges that he allegedly shook down contractors for campaign contributions.

None of the five candidates for the seat received majority support from a deeply divided commission earlier this month, leaving those residents without a commissioner.

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez