Stacey Abrams endorses Larry Johnson for DeKalb CEO

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Former State House Minority Leader and former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Stacey Abrams, announced today that she is endorsing Commissioner Larry Johnson in the race to become DeKalb County’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

“DeKalb County needs a progressive champion at the helm with proven experience and the vision to move DeKalb forward,” said Abrams. “Larry Johnson is that champion. In more than 20 years of service on the DeKalb County Commission, he has secured hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade DeKalb’s infrastructure, including a $25 million investment in senior housing, $8 million for the Intergenerational Center at Exchange Park and more. During my tenure at the state legislature, I valued his counsel and his energetic leadership on behalf of constituents. Moreover, Larry is a champion for voting rights who has advocated for voter access and investments in voting technology. Larry Johnson’s record proves his dedication and his capacity to lead. I am proud to endorse Larry Johnson to be DeKalb County’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).”

While serving the people of DeKalb District 3 as Commissioner, Johnson has consistently delivered results that benefit the entire county, including a 6.25% pay increase and $3,000 retention incentive for public safety employees; $100 million for infrastructure improvements; $4.4 million for sidewalk improvements and $6.1 million to expand the Michelle Obama Trail, all while securing a $147 million property tax cut for DeKalb homeowners, according to Johnson’s campaign office.

“There are few people who have done more to champion voting rights and advance Georgia than Stacey Abrams, and I’m honored to have her support,” said Johnson. “As CEO, I will do everything in my power to not only protect voting rights but also to expand them. I will continue to be a leader committed to investing in DeKalb County’s future, prioritizing improvements to our infrastructure and ensuring DeKalb remains a preeminent county, not just in Georgia but nationally.”

The Democratic primary election will be held on May 21, 2024.

About Commissioner Larry Johnson
Commissioner Larry Johnson was first elected to serve District 3 in November of 2002. In November 2022, he was re-elected for his sixth term. He previously served as Presiding Officer for the DeKalb County Commission and currently serves as Chair of the Planning, Economic Development and Community Services Committee and as a member of the County Operations Committee.
Johnson has been a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) since 2005. In 2017 Johnson was appointed as the Chair of NACo’s Large Urban County Caucus and In July of 2021, Johnson was installed as President of NACo.
Commissioner Johnson earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Community Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and obtained a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Northern Colorado. He also served as the first Chair of the Health Disparities Subcommittee of the Health Steering Committee for NACo. Commissioner Johnson has been married for over 30 years and has one daughter.