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ATLANTA—DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson joined metro county leaders and members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus on Tuesday, March 31, on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol to voice strong opposition to the Senate Substitute to House Bill 369 (HB 369), calling on Gov. Brian Kemp to veto the legislation.
The joint press conference brought together leadership from DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties to raise concerns about what they described as a targeted and inequitable policy that undermines voter transparency and local governance.
Speaking on behalf of DeKalb County and as part of a unified regional coalition, Cochran-Johnson emphasized the broader implications of the legislation.
“As the CEO of DeKalb County, I am committed to all people, because true leadership does not draw lines, it draws circles of inclusion,” said Cochran-Johnson. “If fairness and election integrity are truly the goals, then why does this bill apply to only five counties out of 159 in the State of Georgia?”
HB 369 proposes making certain local elections nonpartisan in five counties: Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett, which collectively represent a significant portion of Georgia’s electorate.
County leaders raised concerns that the bill selectively targets metro Atlanta counties and could limit critical information available to voters, potentially creating confusion during elections.
“It matters who represents you, and party affiliation is often a precursor to deeply-rooted beliefs and ideologies that help voters make informed decisions,” she said.
During her remarks, the CEO also challenged the broader intent of the legislation, noting that if the goal is to improve election integrity statewide, it should be applied consistently across all counties.
“We cannot keep moving the goalpost for convenience,” Cochran-Johnson said. “If this were a football game, we are in the fourth quarter with seconds left and now is not the time to change the rules simply because you have the power to do so.”
The press conference included a coordinated program of speakers, including state legislators and county leaders, each reinforcing concerns about fairness, transparency, and the potential impact on voters.
Cochran-Johnson concluded with a direct call to action:
“If our counties, state, and nation are to remain beacons of democracy, we must reject laws like HB 369 that target, divide, and discriminate under the guise of good policy. I call upon Governor Brian Kemp to veto this bill.”
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, Speech Transcript, HB 369, at the Georgia Capitol 3.31.2026
“I stand here today with both DeKalb and the entire State of Georgia on my mind. In a state that I love deeply, on behalf of people I am proud to represent.
As the CEO of DeKalb County, I am committed to all people, because true leadership does not draw lines, it draws circles of inclusion.
Today, it is unfortunate, but necessary, I draw attention to the Substitute House Bill 369, a Bill proposing that elections for certain officials become nonpartisan in 5 Georgia counties.
These counties, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett represent an overwhelming majority of Georgia’s electorate and are respectfully the largest counties in the state of Georgia.
…and it must be noted that these counties are lead largely by Democratic leaders, who happen to be African American, including County Chairs, District Attorneys, Tax Commissioners and other senior elected officials.
Combined, these 5 counties largely determine the outcome of statewide races.
The sponsors of Substitute HB 369 claim their intent is to remove politics from electoral races, yet if fairness and election integrity are truly the goals, why does this Bill affect only 5 counties of the 159 counties in the State of Georgia?
Why are the remaining counties excluded if the sponsors goal is to create best outcomes for all Georgians? For this reason, I urge the General Assembly to consider if the intent of the Bill is truly to ensure fair elections or ensure or steer desired outcomes.
Highlighting Substitute HB 369 is crucial because an injustice to one Georgian is an injustice to all.
Today we stand united not only as county leaders, but as advocates for policies that support fair outcomes. We must call out legislation that aims to hinder or sway results by erasing political affiliations in an attempt to potentially confuse voters at a critical time when an informed electorate is more important than ever.
It matters who represents you and party affiliation is often a precursor to deep rooted beliefs and ideologies that help voters understand a candidate’s beliefs and values.
I believe in the power of the people, and it is my goal to one day live in a county, state, region, and country where people matter more than politics and where elected officials focus on the best interests of those they serve.
Unfortunately, across Georgia and the nation, divisive legislation is often prioritized to benefit a political party and not the people.
In Georgia, as in the rest of the country, we cannot keep moving the goalpost for convenience.
To use an analogy familiar to most, if this was a football game, across the State of Georgia we are in the fourth quarter, with 60 seconds left and the victory is riding on a 100-yard kick, and now is not the time to move the goalpost out of convenience, simply because you have the power to do so.
at the end of the press release ceo would like us to include a copy of her speech and the video recording
As an elected official, I proudly represent all people, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and individuals of every race and background.
My commitment is to serve all people.
If our counties, state, and nation are to remain beacons of democracy, we must reject laws like Substitute HB 369 that targets, divides, and discriminates under the guise of good policy.
I call upon Governor Brian Kemp to veto the Bill.
If the Bill is to move forward, it must be extended to all 159 counties.
In its current form, the bill is unconstitutional, partisan, and discriminatory.”
Images above via DCTV video grab
- Full remarks from CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson (included below)
- DCTV YOUTUBE LINK: GA House Bill 369 Press Conference –
GA House Bill 369 Press Conference