Lorraine Cochran-Johnson beat Larry Johnson in the contentious DeKalb County CEO race Tuesday night. Since there is no Republican opposition, Cochran-Johnson will become the first Black woman ever elected as DeKalb’s CEO.
Cochran-Johnson won 170 of the 191 districts in DeKalb County. In the May 21 primary, she won 156 districts out of the 191 available in DeKalb County.
During the June 9th debate, Cochran-Johnson said she is emphasizing economic development in certain portions of DeKalb County. She believed it’s a key component in preventing crime within some communities. She reiterated those wishes during her speech.
“I’m most excited about focusing on economic development because if you look across DeKalb, there’s a lack of equity in certain areas. South and unincorporated DeKalb is in need of an economic center,” Cochran-Johnson said.
DeKalb County is Georgia’s fourth-most populous county, according to the 2020 Census.
However, 25% of DeKalb County is in a food desert. A food desert is described as an area with limited access to supermarkets. While she oversaw District 7, Cochran-Johnson spoke out against the spreading of dollar stores in lower-income portions of DeKalb County in 2019:
“When you look at the pattern of growth of the Dollar Store, as well as the areas that have the highest levels of obesity, hypertension, and high blood pressure, there is a direct correlation between their presence and poor health. We see it in the data.”
In addition to economic development, Cochran-Johnson also says she will emphasize public safety, infrastructure and housing.
A who’s who of DeKalb County politicians picked sides during this race. Larry Johnson received endorsements from luminaries such as the U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson and his wife, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis-Johnson. Plus a stamp from former DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May. Johnson received a co-sign from the 58th Mayor of Atlanta, Shirley Franklin; and two-time candidate for Georgia governor, Stacey Abrams.
Meanwhile, Cochran-Johnson’s list of endorsements include Jazzmin Cobble, Mayor of Stonecrest; and Georgia State House Representatives Mary Margaret Oliver, State House District 82; Rhonda Taylor, State House District 92; and Imani Barnes, State House District 86. However, Cochran-Johnson proclaimed she boldly beat the political machine not once but twice.
“I’d say the biggest thing is, and I want people to understand, endorsements don’t win races,” Cochran-Johnson said. “Of course, I went against the machine not once, but twice. Because, I went against two men with over 30 years combined experience and I was the junior candidate. But tonight, I stand here as the CEO of DeKalb County.”
Cochran-Johnson ran to succeed Michael Thurmond, who has had one of Georgia’s most accomplished political careers in recent memory. He was a former state representative, former Georgia Labor Commissioner, former DeKalb County schools superintendent, and now, soon-to-be-former county CEO.
