Former Commissioners Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Larry Johnson are leading in the race to become DeKalb’s next chief executive officer.

With just over a third of precincts reporting, Cochran-Johnson, the former Super District 7 commissioner, is ahead in the three-way race to succeed a term-limited Michael Thurmond.

Cochran-Johnson, who would be the first African-American woman to hold the job if elected, has not clinched the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff.

Johnson, a longtime commissioner for southwest DeKalb’s District 3, is in second place.

District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw is trailing in third.

About the Author

Featured

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told the Atlanta Citizen Review Board he supports its oversight of police deadly force cases. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez