Lorraine Cochran-Johnson elected as next DeKalb County CEO

Dan Wisenhunt | Decaturish

June 19th, 2024

DeKalb Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson watches line dancers perform during the DeKalb County Senior Olympic Games opening ceremony at the Exchange Park Intergenerational Center on Columbia Drive in Greater Decatur on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Dean Hesse)

The LCJ-era in DeKalb County officially began on Tuesday as Lorraine Cochran-Johnson prevailed in the DeKalb County CEO race.

Cochran-Johnson is the first Black woman elected as CEO in the county’s history. She will take office in January, replacing current CEO Mike Thurmond, who is term-limited.

While Larry Johnson racked up numerous endorsements, Cochran-Johnson’s personal style, including being responsive to people who contacted her and building upon her personal relationships with voters, gave her an edge, she said.

“Me and my team, we worked hard, and because of the previous numbers, we expected a win, but even with that expectation, it has been overwhelming,” she said. “The outpouring of support has truly touched me, and also my victory really signifies the end of the machine, the political machine, in DeKalb. In this race, I’ve been painted as everything from a Republican to a do-nothing, and I’m very happy to know endorsements don’t win races, votes do, and the people truly came out to vote for me and support me, and I’m really grateful for that.”

Cochran-Johnson, who faces no Republican opposition on the November ballot, is assembling “the county’s best” transition team.

“I have a lot of solid ideas, but I realize there are a lot of experts needed in a variety of areas,” she said. “Right now my sole focus over the next several days will be building a transition team that will help me move DeKalb forward in a comprehensive manner because there are so many needs in different areas.”

Former Stone Mountain city councilmember Chakira Johnson also defeated former DeKalb County NAACP president Lance Hammonds in the District 4 County Commission race to succeed Steve Bradshaw, who did not seek reelection because he qualified to run for CEO. He lost the May primary race to Larry Johnson and Lorraine Cochran Johnson.

“I am just excited, humbled and overwhelmed with the support I have received from the community,” Commissoiner-elect Chakira Johnson said. “Close to 60 percent of the vote is overwhelming right now. I’m excited for the opportunity to represent District 4 in the best manner possible.”

Tiffany Tate-Hogan defeated Donna Priest Brown in the District 5 DeKalb County Board of Education race. Randal Mangham defeated Iris-Knight Hamilton in the Senate District 55 runoff.

This story was provided by WABE content partner Decaturish.