DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May will not run for Congress so he can focus on the county’s deficit.

May, a Democrat, announced several months ago that he was considering running against U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Democrat who is running for a third term this year.

On Monday, May told the AJC that he decided not to enter the race and finish the remaining two years of his commission term.

“We have so many things going on in DeKalb County, especially the budget shortfall of $84 million” said May, the commission’s deputy presiding officer. “As much as I want to make that leap forward, there is so much left undone.”

DeKalb Commissioner Connie Stokes officially announced her bid against Johnson on Saturday. Former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones joined the race last month. Both are Democrats.

Business consultant Liz Carter and retired naval officer Larry Gause are running on the Republican ticket.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC