Latest news with #MichaelThurmond
Axios
06-08-2025
- Business
- Axios
Thurmond joins Georgia governor's race, citing experience and record
Michael Thurmond won over voters three times across Georgia to become — and remain — the state's labor commissioner. He hopes to repeat history in his run for governor. Why it matters: Thurmond, who most recently served as DeKalb County CEO, is the fifth Democrat to jump into the race to succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who is term-limited. The latest: Thurmond announced his candidacy early Wednesday, with a campaign video noting he's ready to put "boots on Georgia ground." What they're saying: Thurmond told Axios on Wednesday that he entered the race after traveling around the state — "particularly [the] Georgia that exists outside of 285," he said — and hearing residents' ideas on how to move Georgia forward. Those voters, he said, want leaders to move beyond partisanship and "get back to the basics and address issues they are concerned about." Those issues include the rising cost of groceries, lack of access to affordable health care and job creation. State of play: Thurmond joins state Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Rep. Derrick Jackson and businessman Olu Brown on the Democratic primary ballot. On the Republican side, Attorney General Chris Carr and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones are running. Reality check: Thurmond is running for governor in a solid Republican state. Georgia swung for former Democratic President Biden in the 2020 election, but President Trump put the state back in the GOP column last year. Yes, but: The former DeKalb County CEO told Axios he is confident voters will consider him a viable candidate because of his "strong record of accomplishments and willingness to build bridges." Flashback: Thurmond's tenure in politics stretches back decades. He was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1986 and was the first Black person elected to represent Clarke County since Reconstruction. He was elected labor commissioner in 1998 and served three terms. In 2013, he was selected to become superintendent of the DeKalb County School District at a time when the system was facing a major deficit and its accreditation was at risk. He was elected DeKalb County's CEO in 2016 and served two terms before opting not to seek reelection. Fun fact: The Athens, Georgia, native has published three books about Georgia history. He was a finalist for 2025's Georgia Author of the Year for "James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia." What we're watching: Whether Stacey Abrams, the two-time Democratic gubernatorial candidate, will make a third run.
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat Michael Thurmond announces plan to run for Georgia governor
The Brief Former Georgia lawmaker Michael Thurmond has announced his bid to succeed Brian Kemp as Georgia's next governor. Thurmond pitched himself as someone who could bridge racial and political divides to become the first Democrat to win the state's top office in 28 years. The former DeKalb County CEO joins a Democratic field that already includes state Sen. Jason Esteves, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown. ATLANTA - Former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has announced that he will run to be Georgia's next governor in 2026. Thurmond announced his 2026 bid for the state's highest office Wednesday, saying he's "going to fight for the people of Georgia every day," but also pitching himself as someone who can bridge racial and political divides to become the first Democrat to win the state's top office in 28 years. What they're saying In his announcement on Wednesday morning, Thurmond said he was running for governor "to fight for working families, protect and expand access to healthcare, and build an education system that creates multiple pathways to success." "I bring a record of service and accomplishment," he said. "I, throughout my career, never shied away from taking on tough jobs." Some Democrats are also calling for a generational turnover in leadership, but after more than four decades in politics, Thurmond said he believes a track record of success will be more important. "The number one concern of the Democrats I talked to is that they want a candidate who can win," he said. What we know Thurmond is one of only three Black people to win election to statewide office in Georgia, serving three terms as labor commissioner after first winning election in 2010. He was also the first Black state legislator from his hometown of Athens since Reconstruction when elected in 1986. Like all the other currently declared Democratic candidates, Thurmond is now seeking to become Georgia's first Black governor. Thurmond most recently served two terms as the elected CEO of DeKalb County, an Atlanta suburb that had $150 million in the bank when he left office. Before that, he was credited with stabilizing the DeKalb County school system as interim superintendent, after its accreditation agency threatened to strip its seal of approval, citing financial mismanagement, school board dysfunction and nepotism. Thurmond also oversaw welfare reform as director of Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services in the mid-1990s, after he gave up his state House seat to make an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1992. Under his leadership as CEO, DeKalb County established a $140 million rainy day fund and a 10-year capitol improvement program to invest in and maintain the county's water and wastewater infrastructure, while making major improvements to the water billing system. The county created a master transit plan, and passed two Special Local Option Sales Tax initiatives for transportation, public safety, parks and rec and other capitol projects. Dig deeper The 72-year-old Thurmond joins a Democratic field that already includes state Sen. Jason Esteves, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr are seeking their party's nomination in an attempt to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp, who can't run again after two terms. RELATED: 2026 Georgia election races to watch | List of candidates The Source Information for this article came from previous FOX 5 reporting and Michael Thurmond's interview with the Associated Press. Solve the daily Crossword
06-08-2025
- Business
Democrat Michael Thurmond is running for Georgia governor, pledging to improve lives
ATLANTA -- Democrat Michael Thurmond has a long resume of public service, and now he wants to add governor of Georgia to the list. Thurmond announced his 2026 bid for the state's highest office Wednesday, saying he's 'going to fight for the people of Georgia every day," but also pitching himself as someone who can bridge racial and political divides to become the first Democrat to win the state's top office in 28 years. Thurmond promised in an interview Tuesday to be a leader who 'will focus on the everyday issues that most Georgians are concerned about — i.e. the cost of groceries or rent or paying the mortgage, access to health care and quite frankly ending divisiveness that has prevented us from progressing more in this state.' The 72-year-old Thurmond joins a Democratic field that already includes state Sen. Jason Esteves, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and others who are seeking their party's nomination in an attempt to succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who can't run again after two terms. Thurmond is one of only three Black people to win election to statewide office in Georgia, serving three terms as labor commissioner after first winning election in 2010. He was also the first Black state legislator from his hometown of Athens since Reconstruction when elected in 1986. Like all the other currently declared Democratic candidates, Thurmond is now seeking to become Georgia's first Black governor. When Thurmond tried to run for Senate in 2010, he lost badly to incumbent Republican Johnny Isakson, running significantly behind Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes that year. Thurmond most recently served two terms as the elected CEO of DeKalb County, an Atlanta suburb that had $150 million in the bank when he left office. Before that, he was credited with stabilizing the DeKalb County school system as interim superintendent, after its accreditation agency threatened to strip its seal of approval, citing financial mismanagement, school board dysfunction and nepotism. Thurmond also oversaw welfare reform as director of Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services in the mid-1990s, after he gave up his state House seat to make an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1992. Thurmond is a lawyer and he has written multiple books on Georgia history. 'I bring a record of service and accomplishment,' he said. 'I, throughout my career, never shied away from taking on tough jobs.' Both Bottoms and Esteves have showcased plans to oppose what they see as wrongheaded policies put forth by President Donald Trump, appealing to Democratic partisans who are fearful and angry. Thurmond says he too is a fighter, but frames it differently. 'It's not fighting Trump,' he said. 'I'm going to fight for Georgia residents.' Some Democrats are also calling for a generational turnover in leadership, a trend that's clearly apparent among the primary opponents of longtime U.S. Rep. David Scott. After more than four decades in politics, Thurmond said he believes a track record of success will be more important. 'The number one concern of the Democrats I talked to is that they want a candidate who can win,' he said. Thurmond is the youngest of nine children born to a sharecropper. He was class president of Athens' all-Black high school when it was consolidated with the historically all-white high school in 1970. Thurmond has said that until then he knew few white people, but as co-student body president, had to learn how to deal with others. He said part of his path to victory is to pursue the 'better angels" of voters in the same way that got him elected labor commissioner. 'It's not a hypothetical for me. I've seen it with my own eyes. I've experienced it,' Thurmond said. 'And consequently I come into this race with great faith in this state and the people of Georgia.'
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrat Michael Thurmond is running for Georgia governor, pledging to improve everyday lives
ATLANTA (AP) — Democrat Michael Thurmond has a long resume of public service, and now he wants to add governor of Georgia to the list. Thurmond announced his 2026 bid for the state's highest office Wednesday, saying he's 'going to fight for the people of Georgia every day," but also pitching himself as someone who can bridge racial and political divides to become the first Democrat to win the state's top office in 28 years. Thurmond promised in an interview Tuesday to be a leader who 'will focus on the everyday issues that most Georgians are concerned about — i.e. the cost of groceries or rent or paying the mortgage, access to health care and quite frankly ending divisiveness that has prevented us from progressing more in this state.' The 72-year-old Thurmond joins a Democratic field that already includes state Sen. Jason Esteves, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and others who are seeking their party's nomination in an attempt to succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who can't run again after two terms. Thurmond is one of only three Black people to win election to statewide office in Georgia, serving three terms as labor commissioner after first winning election in 2010. He was also the first Black state legislator from his hometown of Athens since Reconstruction when elected in 1986. Like all the other currently declared Democratic candidates, Thurmond is now seeking to become Georgia's first Black governor. When Thurmond tried to run for Senate in 2010, he lost badly to incumbent Republican Johnny Isakson, running significantly behind Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes that year. Thurmond most recently served two terms as the elected CEO of DeKalb County, an Atlanta suburb that had $150 million in the bank when he left office. Before that, he was credited with stabilizing the DeKalb County school system as interim superintendent, after its accreditation agency threatened to strip its seal of approval, citing financial mismanagement, school board dysfunction and nepotism. Thurmond also oversaw welfare reform as director of Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services in the mid-1990s, after he gave up his state House seat to make an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1992. Thurmond is a lawyer and he has written multiple books on Georgia history. 'I bring a record of service and accomplishment,' he said. 'I, throughout my career, never shied away from taking on tough jobs.' Both Bottoms and Esteves have showcased plans to oppose what they see as wrongheaded policies put forth by President Donald Trump, appealing to Democratic partisans who are fearful and angry. Thurmond says he too is a fighter, but frames it differently. 'It's not fighting President Donald Trump,' he said. 'I'm going to fight for Georgia residents.' Some Democrats are also calling for a generational turnover in leadership, a trend that's clearly apparent among the primary opponents of longtime U.S. Rep. David Scott. After more than four decades in politics, Thurmond said he believes a track record of success will be more important. 'The number one concern of the Democrats I talked to is that they want a candidate who can win,' he said. Thurmond is the youngest of nine children born to a sharecropper. He was class president of Athens' all-Black high school when it was consolidated with the historically all-white high school in 1970. Thurmond has said that until then he knew few white people, but as co-student body president, had to learn how to deal with others. He said part of his path to victory is to pursue the 'better angels" of voters in the same way that got him elected labor commissioner. 'It's not a hypothetical for me. I've seen it with my own eyes. I've experienced it,' Thurmond said. 'And consequently I come into this race with great faith in this state and the people of Georgia.'
San Francisco Chronicle
06-08-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Democrat Michael Thurmond is running for Georgia governor, pledging to improve everyday lives
ATLANTA (AP) — Democrat Michael Thurmond has a long resume of public service, and now he wants to add governor of Georgia to the list. Thurmond announced his 2026 bid for the state's highest office Wednesday, saying he's 'going to fight for the people of Georgia every day," but also pitching himself as someone who can bridge racial and political divides to become the first Democrat to win the state's top office in 28 years. Thurmond promised in an interview Tuesday to be a leader who 'will focus on the everyday issues that most Georgians are concerned about — i.e. the cost of groceries or rent or paying the mortgage, access to health care and quite frankly ending divisiveness that has prevented us from progressing more in this state.' The 72-year-old Thurmond joins a Democratic field that already includes state Sen. Jason Esteves, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and others who are seeking their party's nomination in an attempt to succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who can't run again after two terms. Thurmond is one of only three Black people to win election to statewide office in Georgia, serving three terms as labor commissioner after first winning election in 2010. He was also the first Black state legislator from his hometown of Athens since Reconstruction when elected in 1986. Like all the other currently declared Democratic candidates, Thurmond is now seeking to become Georgia's first Black governor. When Thurmond tried to run for Senate in 2010, he lost badly to incumbent Republican Johnny Isakson, running significantly behind Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes that year. Thurmond most recently served two terms as the elected CEO of DeKalb County, an Atlanta suburb that had $150 million in the bank when he left office. Before that, he was credited with stabilizing the DeKalb County school system as interim superintendent, after its accreditation agency threatened to strip its seal of approval, citing financial mismanagement, school board dysfunction and nepotism. Thurmond also oversaw welfare reform as director of Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services in the mid-1990s, after he gave up his state House seat to make an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1992. Thurmond is a lawyer and he has written multiple books on Georgia history. 'I bring a record of service and accomplishment,' he said. 'I, throughout my career, never shied away from taking on tough jobs.' Both Bottoms and Esteves have showcased plans to oppose what they see as wrongheaded policies put forth by President Donald Trump, appealing to Democratic partisans who are fearful and angry. Thurmond says he too is a fighter, but frames it differently. 'It's not fighting Trump,' he said. 'I'm going to fight for Georgia residents.' Some Democrats are also calling for a generational turnover in leadership, a trend that's clearly apparent among the primary opponents of longtime U.S. Rep. David Scott. After more than four decades in politics, Thurmond said he believes a track record of success will be more important. 'The number one concern of the Democrats I talked to is that they want a candidate who can win,' he said. Thurmond is the youngest of nine children born to a sharecropper. He was class president of Athens' all-Black high school when it was consolidated with the historically all-white high school in 1970. Thurmond has said that until then he knew few white people, but as co-student body president, had to learn how to deal with others. He said part of his path to victory is to pursue the 'better angels" of voters in the same way that got him elected labor commissioner. 'It's not a hypothetical for me. I've seen it with my own eyes. I've experienced it,' Thurmond said. 'And consequently I come into this race with great faith in this state and the people of Georgia.'
