Gwinnett County’s community outreach chair has announced her plan to run for chair of the county commission.

Nicole Love Hendrickson plans to resign her job with the county at the end of February to seek elected office. Since 2015, she has been the director of the county's community outreach program, which works to get residents more involved in county government. She launched the Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy, Gwinnett Youth Commission, and Dinner & Dialogue.

The field for chair of the county commission has grown crowded since Chairman Charlotte Nash announced she wasn't seeking reelection. Hendrickson is the seventh candidate to announce for the seat; no one is running as a Republican.

Hendrickson said she decided to get into the race because she thinks she is the best candidate to understand the needs of the diverse community. She said throughout her career, she has been a bridge builder.

“I don’t think a lot of candidates have that,” she said. “We need to bring people together, not separate them.”

Before joining the county, Hendrickson worked as the associate director for the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services. She said she understands the broad needs of the community.

In addition to Hendrickson, the candidates who have announced so far include Andy Morgan, Desmond Nembhard, Art Sheldon, Brooke Siskin, Curt Thompson and Lee Thompson.

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