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National Association of Counties

Larry earned his Bachelor of Science in community health from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and later earned his master's degree in public health from the University of Northern Colorado. Larry is married, and has one daughter.

Larry is the former communications director for the Association of Black Cardiologists, and the former manager for the Fulton County Department of Health & Wellness.

Larry Johnson was elected to the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners in 2002, and was the youngest person ever to serve in this office. He was re-elected in 2018 and is serving his sixth term. He serves as the chair of the Health Disparities Subcommittee for the National Association of Counties (NACo), Vice Chair of the NACo Health Steering Committee, and Vice President of NACo. He was recently elected to the 2020-2021 Association County Commissioner of Georgia Board of Managers as a representative for the National Association of Counties.

Council on Foundations,  Larry Johnson

As county commissioner, started "DeKalb Walks" in order to encourage health improvement through walking, and designated walking as the official exercise of DeKalb.

As county commissioner, implemented the "Prescription Discount Drug Card," wherein participants will save 20% off of prescription drug costs not covered by insurance.

- As county commissioner, started "DeKalb Walks" in order to encourage health improvement through walking, and designated walking as the official exercise of DeKalb.
- As county commissioner, implemented the "Prescription Discount Drug Card," wherein participants will save 20% off of prescription drug costs not covered by insurance.

Public Services

Supports the creation of employment centers throughout the region in order to implement industry support programs.

- Supports the creation of employment centers throughout the region in order to implement industry support programs.

Economy

As of June 7, 2025, Larry Johnson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Larry Johnson

AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Local & Legislative Questionnaire

Lorraine is originally from Greenville, Alabama. She earned her bachelor's in political science from Troy State University, her master's in the administration of criminal justice from Troy State University, her master's in public administration from Auburn University, and her law degree from John Marshall Law School. Johnson also holds a business certificate from Harvard University in Delivering Public Services. She lives in Stoncrest with her husband, William, and their daughter. 

Lorraine previously worked as a professor at the Art Institute of Atlanta, an associate publisher and vice president of business development at Real Times Media, a regional marketing manager at Great Southern Publishers, a communications specialist at United Front Media, a publisher at Salons Unlimited Magazine, and an account executive at Creative Loafing Newspaper.

Ballotpedia, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson

Lorraine Cochran Johnson is currently the commissioner representing DeKalb County Super District 7. She was elected to this position in 2018 and is serving her second term.

Supports youth empowerment programs, which help reduce crime rates and improve academic performance by providing young people with learning opportunities, mentorship, guidance, and role models.

Plans to expand on the 2021 Trails Resolution, which advocates for the construction of trails and park spaces that expand transportation networks and promote economic development.

- Supports youth empowerment programs, which help reduce crime rates and improve academic performance by providing young people with learning opportunities, mentorship, guidance, and role models.
- Plans to expand on the 2021 Trails Resolution, which advocates for the construction of trails and park spaces that expand transportation networks and promote economic development.

Said, "I will ensure efficiency in Planning and Sustainability, ease of permitting, and continue important infrastructure enhancements to create a landscape of success."

Plans to ensure a business-friendly environment to support small businesses and encoruage them to participate in the DeKalb Local Small Business Enterprise Program.

- Said, "I will ensure efficiency in Planning and Sustainability, ease of permitting, and continue important infrastructure enhancements to create a landscape of success."
- Plans to ensure a business-friendly environment to support small businesses and encoruage them to participate in the DeKalb Local Small Business Enterprise Program.

As of June 7, 2025, Lorraine Cochran Johnson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to fill vacant police positions, raise pay, and expand patrols and undercover operations.

Wants to expand video surveillance system legislation, which requires cameras at gas stations, service stations, and high-risk businesses.

Said, "As your CEO I will create an atmosphere that is harsh on crime and swift on apprehension and punishment through Operation Safe Streets."

- Plans to fill vacant police positions, raise pay, and expand patrols and undercover operations.
- Wants to expand video surveillance system legislation, which requires cameras at gas stations, service stations, and high-risk businesses.
- Said, "As your CEO I will create an atmosphere that is harsh on crime and swift on apprehension and punishment through Operation Safe Streets."

Wants to expand partnerships with organization like Operation HOPE to provide down payment assistance and help for first-time homeowners.

Believes access to affordable housing is a basic human right; plans to create the position of Chief Housing Officer to focus on housing issues.

Plans to increase the availability of rental and single-family housing.

- Wants to expand partnerships with organization like Operation HOPE to provide down payment assistance and help for first-time homeowners.
- Believes access to affordable housing is a basic human right; plans to create the position of Chief Housing Officer to focus on housing issues.
- Plans to increase the availability of rental and single-family housing.

Supports the growth of high capacity transit which Johnson says is "critical to the future of DeKalb."

- Supports the growth of high capacity transit which Johnson says is "critical to the future of DeKalb."

Lorraine Cochran Johnson

Steve attended Armstrong State College, now known as Georgia Southern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). He has a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Georgia State University. Steve is a former Board Member of local organizations including Pride Rings in Stone Mountain (PRISM), Clarkson Community Center, and the Giving Tree, an adoption resource agency. He is also a member of the National Council of Negro Women (DeKalb Section), DeKalb NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), and 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. He has lived in DeKalb County with his wife for more than three decades. 

Steve has a military background as a former officer in the United States Army. He was trained as a tank commander and attained the rank of Captain. He also has 15 years of experience in business development and operations management, working for organizations such as Spherion, Briggs Equipment, and Delta Global Staffing. He has served as a leadership instructor at the Army Officer Candidate School and lectured at Georgia State University's School of Policy Studies as an adjunct professor.

Steve Bradshaw has served as the DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner since 2017. He has been unanimously elected as Presiding Officer of the Board of Commissioners in 2020 and 2021 and as Deputy Presiding Officer in 2018 and 2019. He is a member of the National Association of Counties Veteran and Military Services Committee and serves as Vice Chair on the DeKalb County Board of Health.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Delivered a State of the Art Senior and Community Center valued at $9.2 million."

The candidate's website says, "Delivered park improvements of over $2 million."

The candidate's website says, "Delivered library improvements of over $4 million."

The candidate's website says, "By working to make DeKalb County cleaner, we will all feel better about where we live, work, and worship. Also, a cleaner DeKalb will make our county more attractive for potential business and economic development opportunities."

The candidate's website says, "Delivered a State of the Art Recreational Facility valued at $10.5 million."

The candidate's website says, "Our Families and Businesses Thrive When We Work to Keep DeKalb Clean"

The candidate's website says, "Commissioner Bradshaw has been holding similar events with his Quarterly in the Fourth Community Breakfast Meetings... so Mr. Bradshaw looks forward to expanding the scope and reach of these meetings as DeKalb CEO."

The candidate's website says, "As DeKalb CEO, Steve Bradshaw will be accessible to the community and he will communicate with them on a consistent basis. To that end, CEO Bradshaw would hold regularly scheduled community town hall meetings, to be called “Sessions with Steve”."

The candidate's website says, "Steve Bradshaw plans to change the mindset of those who litter by partnering with the Board of Education to instill a sense of community pride in our youth while encouraging adults to serve as role models."

Plans to partner with the Board of Education to launch a marketing campaign teaching youth community pride and respect, discouraging littering through collaboration with parents, educators, and leaders.

Said, "If elected as CEO, these town halls would be held on a rotating basis across the county districts and super districts."

Plans to hold regular community town hall meetings if elected DeKalb CEO (Chief Executive Officer).

Supports fulling funding and staffing the Code Compliance Administration and Keep DeKalb Beautiful.

- Plans to partner with the Board of Education to launch a marketing campaign teaching youth community pride and respect, discouraging littering through collaboration with parents, educators, and leaders.
- Plans to hold regular community town hall meetings if elected DeKalb CEO (Chief Executive Officer).
- Supports fulling funding and staffing the Code Compliance Administration and Keep DeKalb Beautiful.

Said, "When We Make it Easier for Businesses to Grow, Jobs Follow"

The candidate's website says, "Steve Bradshaw Has a Plan to Make DeKalb County Better for Businesses"

The candidate's website says, "Help Steve Bradshaw toMake DeKalb More Business-Friendly as its Next CEO"

The candidate's website says, "Support Steve Bradshaw’s CEO Campaign so he can lead DeKalb County to the next level of economic development and opportunity."

The candidate's website says, "On the root causes and prevention side, Bradshaw sees a need to create conditions with more opportunities for economic development in DeKalb County."

The candidate's website says, "Delivered fiscal discipline and financial stability to DeKalb County."

The candidate's website says, "Delivered a Public/Private Partnership Resolution to provide one more tool in DeKalb’s economic development toolbox."

The candidate's website says, "Steve Bradshaw’s background in business development makes him ideally suited to be DeKalb’s “Chief Sales Officer”, while also working to ensure resources are in place to encourage economic growth and job creation."

The candidate's website says, "The CEO of DeKalb must work to build a more business-friendly environment while also balancing public safety and working for a cleaner DeKalb County."

The candidate's website says, "If elected as DeKalb CEO in 2024, Steve Bradshaw will ensure that our business-facing entities are fully resourced and capable of doing the work that they are tasked to perform."

The candidate's website says, "Steve Bradshaw will apply his background and experience in business development... He will also work to make business and government interactions less burdensome and more efficient."

Supports making business and government interactions less burdensome and more efficient.

Said, "It’s by driving new business to DeKalb that we can stimulate economic development, offer new job opportunities, and increase prosperity for all of our citizens... Moreover, crime goes down when economic opportunities go up..."

The candidate's website says, "A CEO Bradshaw administration would enhance and streamline processes and procedures in DeKalb’s purchasing, contracting, and permitting departments... The goal would be to offer businesses efficient and professional interactions with county employees in order to leave them with the takeaway that DeKalb County is business-friendly and responsive."

Plans to improve processes in DeKalb’s purchasing, contracting, and permitting departments.

Plans to engage with DeKalb's key economic groups, showing support and gaining insight into their needs for successful business development in the county.

Plans to meet with Decide DeKalb, The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, and the DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau to show support and gain insight into their needs for successful business development in the county.

- Supports making business and government interactions less burdensome and more efficient.
- Said, "It’s by driving new business to DeKalb that we can stimulate economic development, offer new job opportunities, and increase prosperity for all of our citizens... Moreover, crime goes down when economic opportunities go up..."
- Plans to improve processes in DeKalb’s purchasing, contracting, and permitting departments.
- Plans to meet with Decide DeKalb, The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, and the DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau to show support and gain insight into their needs for successful business development in the county.

Plans to expand RISE UP program, increase Summer Youth Internship funding, and strengthen Big Brothers Big Sisters partnership, while enhancing collaboration with DeKalb County schools.

The candidate's website says, "Delivered the RISE UP youth mentorship program targeted for boys of color."

Said, "We also need to better connect our youth while they are young."

Plans to enhance youth engagement through expanding RISE UP, increasing Summer Youth Internship funding, and strengthening ties with Big Brothers Big Sisters and DeKalb County schools.

Plans to improve youth engagement through expanding the RISE UP Youth Leadership Development Program, increasing Summer Youth Internship funding, and strengthening ties with Big Brothers Big Sisters and DeKalb County schools.

- Plans to improve youth engagement through expanding the RISE UP Youth Leadership Development Program, increasing Summer Youth Internship funding, and strengthening ties with Big Brothers Big Sisters and DeKalb County schools.

The candidate's website says, "Allocated nearly $100,000 of District 4 reserve funds to purchase flock security cameras for high-crime areas in the district"

The candidate's website says, "The first responsibility of any government is the safety of its citizens. Steve Bradshaw will work towards better law enforcement training and support while developing programs and outreach to address the root causes of crime."

The candidate's website says, "Delivered multiple public safety pay increases and was the first commissioner to purchase FLOCK Security cameras with discretionary funds."

The candidate's website says, "Should be trained better, paid better, and treated better so they will in turn, serve and protect us better... Steve Bradshaw will work closely with the county public safety leadership team and the Board of Commissioners to achieve meaningful solutions..."

The candidate's website says, "The first responsibility of any government is the safety of its citizens. Steve Bradshaw will work towards better training and support for public safety personnel"

The candidate's website says, "and support while developing programs and outreach to address the root causes of crime."

The candidate's website says, "Steve is committed to supporting our law enforcement community as they work to keep us safe. Commissioner Bradshaw:"

The candidate's website says, "Voted for pay raises for public safety personnel totaling more than 11%"

The candidate's website says, "Steve Bradshaw will work towards better training and support for public safety personnel"

The candidate's website says, "The first responsibility of any government is the safety of its citizens. A Steve Bradshaw administration will apply the full spectrum of policy prescriptions to meet this critical need for DeKalb."

The candidate's website says, "The first responsibility of any government is the safety of its citizens."

The candidate's website says, "Reinstate the assault weapons ban."

The candidate's website says, "Steve Bradshaw will work towards better law enforcement training and support while developing programs and outreach to address the root causes of crime."

According to the candidate's website, supports "developing programs and outreach to address the root causes of crime."

The candidate's website says, "DeKalb County’s public safety personnel should be trained better, paid better, and treated better so they will in turn, serve and protect us better... Steve Bradshaw will work closely with the county public safety leadership team and the Board of Commissioners to achieve meaningful solutions..."

Said, "DeKalb County’s public safety personnel should be trained better, paid better, and treated better so they will in turn, serve and protect us better."

Supports granting local jurisdictions in Georgia the power to create tailored gun safety laws, emphasizing the unique needs of areas like DeKalb for effective public safety management.

Supports granting local jurisdictions in Georgia the power to create custom gun safety laws, emphasizing the unique needs of areas like DeKalb for effective public safety management.

The candidate's website says, "Pass the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act."

Supports Congress reinstating the assault weapons ban and passing the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act, universal background check laws, and red flag laws.

- According to the candidate's website, supports "developing programs and outreach to address the root causes of crime."
- Said, "DeKalb County’s public safety personnel should be trained better, paid better, and treated better so they will in turn, serve and protect us better."
- Supports granting local jurisdictions in Georgia the power to create custom gun safety laws, emphasizing the unique needs of areas like DeKalb for effective public safety management.
- Supports Congress reinstating the assault weapons ban and passing the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act, universal background check laws, and red flag laws.

The candidate's website says, "Appearances matter. As CEO, Steve Bradshaw will ensure that the Code Compliance Administration and Keep DeKalb Beautiful are fully resourced."

As of June 7, 2025, Stephen "Steve" Bradshaw’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "Allocated more than $30,000 of District 4 reserve funds to purchase and deploy speed detection devices throughout DeKalb County"

The candidate's website says, "Delivered infrastructure improvements via the SPLOST program over $31 million."

The candidate's website says, "DeKalb County’s next CEO will face a myriad of serious and complex issues... like transit and housing issues..."

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Stephen "Steve" Bradshaw

The Chief Executive Officer of a county is an elected position that leads the Executive Branch for the county. They have final say on local legislation and great influence over the direction in which their county moves in a wide variety of areas. So much of governing in Georgia happens at the county level, so this position is especially important for your county. Chief Executive Officers also represent their county when interacting with higher forms of government, such as the Georgia General Assembly. Though each county looks a little different, the governing that happens at the county level can have significant impacts on the daily lives of residents in that county. Examples of governing on this level include:
- Budgeting for the county
- Land use planning and urban development
- Zoning for schools and other resources
- Enacting laws at county level
- Completing executive duties

This role does not exist in every county, and there has been discussion for years about reimagining the structure of county government in a way that does not include a county CEO.

DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer, Democratic Primary

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (3)