The 2024 DeKalb County, Georgia Chief Executive Officer election took place on November 5, 2024. Incumbent CEO Michael Thurmond was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term. Three county commissioners—Steve Bradshaw, Lorraine Cochran Johnson, and Larry Johnson—ran to succeed him. Because Cochran Johnson and Johnson's terms on the County Commission would have overlapped with the CEO's term, they had to resign their seats upon qualifying.
In the Democratic primary, Cochran Johnson placed first, winning 46 percent of the vote, but because no candidate won a majority, a runoff election took place. Johnson placed second with 34 percent, beating out Bradshaw, who won 19 percent. Cochran Johnson won the runoff in a landslide, receiving 60 percent of the vote to Johnson's 40 percent. She faced no opponent in the general election and won uncontested, becoming the first woman to serve as CEO.
Democratic primary Candidates Lorraine Cochran Johnson, former County Commissioner Larry Johnson, former County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, County Commissioner
Debate + 2024 Dekalb County, Georgia Chief Executive Officer Democratic primary debate Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Steve Bradshaw Lorraine Cochran Johnson Larry Johnson1 Apr. 28, 2024 Altanta Press ClubGeorgia Public Broadcasting Lisa Rayam YouTube
Results
Runoff debate + 2024 Dekalb County, Georgia Chief Executive Officer Democratic primary runoff debate Date Host Moderator Link Democratic DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Lorraine Cochran Johnson Larry Johnson1 Jun. 9, 2024 Altanta Press ClubGeorgia Public Broadcasting Karyn Greer YouTube
Runoff results
General election Results
References