DeKalb CEO candidates make closing pitch at Atlanta Press Club debate

Cochran-Johnson is leading the race and would be the second woman and first African-American woman to hold the position if elected. In the primary, she fell short of the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff, but she led in 156 of the county’s 191 precincts. The only part of the county where she didn’t dominate was District 3 in southwest DeKalb, where Johnson has been a commissioner for 22 years.

In a late May poll of likely voters, Cochran-Johnson held an 18-point lead over Johnson and was ahead in every commission district, even District 3. Pollster Fred Hicks predicted in a statement press that she was likely to win.

During the debate, Cochran-Johnson asked her opponent why voters should trust her when her District 3 struggles with a lack of economic development and high crime rates.

“You have demonstrated no vision, no plan and no initiative for voters to see,” Cochran-Johnson said.

Johnson said Cochran-Johnson shared responsibility, pointing out that his Super District 7 overlapped with District 3, although it was primarily in Super District 6. He refuted her claim, touting the construction of the Ellenwood Library and the South DeKalb Senior Center during his tenure. .

“You can’t do it because it takes experience,” he said. “I have a vision and experience, and you can see it along Candler Road, to make these things happen.”

He criticized Cochran-Johnson for closing two of her own businesses, including a custom eyewear business, saying it showed she didn’t have her own house in order.

Cochran-Johnson said she closed her businesses to focus on public service and said she advocated for small businesses during her tenure, including sponsoring the Great American Franchise Expo. Johnson then criticized him for holding the exhibit in Cobb County instead of DeKalb.

Both candidates said infrastructure would be a priority if elected, but they differed on how they would approach water, sewer and road projects.

Thurmond last week asked commissioners to approve an increase in water and sewer rates, the second during his tenure after many years without an increase. He said the county could face “catastrophic” problems if improvements are not made quickly to the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant.

Johnson, who voted against the first rate increase, said he continues to oppose a rate increase. He said the county needs to find other ways to fund the improvements.

“I really think we need to appeal to federal and state authorities and not put a burden on our taxpayers to make this happen,” he said. “Our seniors are already going through a difficult time. »

Cochran-Johnson said she would also work with federal and state partners, but said the years without any rate increases are what left the county in the position it is in now. Until Thurmond took office, repairs and upgrades were not a priority despite significant growth in the county, she said.

“We haven’t taken any measurable action,” she said. “We must plan for future expansion because our businesses and residents need clean, safe water. »

Early voting began Monday and continues through Friday. Check your voter registration information at mvp.sos.ga.gov.