Disgruntled voters ousted DeKalb District Attorney Robert James on Tuesday, replacing him with Solicitor Sherry Boston, who promised to lead the county into a new era of honesty and even-handed prosecutions.
Boston questioned James' ability to handle the job of cleaning up DeKalb, arguing that residents need a strong but fair prosecutor whom they can trust to root out wrongdoing in the county of 735,000 people. She faces no Republican opposition in November's general election.
DeKalb's government has been plagued with years of corruption allegations and trials, damaging the county's image and motivating voters.
James secured convictions against DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, former schools Superintendent Crawford Lewis and about 40 other government employees. But Boston questioned his integrity after he overspent for business meals, refused to cooperate with independent investigators and violated campaign finance laws. She also accused him of pursuing high-profile cases more than crimes that affect ordinary citizens.
Besides the district attorney's race, former DeKalb schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond won the Democratic primary in the race for the county government's CEO position, in charge of a $1.3 billion annual budget and more than 6,000 employees. Interim CEO Lee May decided not to seek office.
Thurmond defeated former County Commissioner Connie Stokes and car towing business owner Joe Bembry. Thurmond will face Republican Jack Lovelace, a retired police officer and accountant, in the November general election.
Thurmond campaigned on his experience guiding the county’s school system through a time when its accreditation was in doubt, promising to bring stability to DeKalb’s government. Thurmond, who previously served as Georgia’s Labor Commissioner, said he would unify the county under his slogan, “Let’s fix it together.”
Meanwhile, in a state House race, former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones appeared to be heading for runoff July 26 as he again attempts to return to politics, according to unofficial election results. Jones received the most votes — but less than a majority — in a four-way Democratic primary for House District 91, which covers parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties. He would face business owner Rhonda Taylor, who was in second place.
The contest for DeKalb tax commissioner, the county's highest paying job with $242,000 in total annual compensation, is also heading for a runoff between Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson and attorney Susannah Scott. Former DeKalb Commissioner Stan Watson trailed in third place.
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