DeKalb CEO race still not water-cooler talk
July 2, 2008 at 7:00 am by Scott Henry in NewsIt’s arguably the most powerful local elected position in metro Atlanta, perhaps all of Georgia. And yet, by most accounts, the race for DeKalb CEO really hasn’t caught fire yet. Frankly, with only two weeks to go before the July 15 primary, there’s a good chance it won’t.
Even state Rep. Stan Watson, one of five hopefuls in the all-Democratic contest, concedes that he’s seen more excitement in the community over the November presidential election (You say, “Obamania!” I say, “Obamamania!”) than the CEO’s race.
In the northern end of the county, all attention seems to be focused on the Dunwoody cityhood referendum. And DeKalb Republicans, historically an important swing vote in Democratic primaries, will mostly cast GOP ballots instead because District 1 Commissioner Elaine Boyer has drawn opposition. (Her challenger, by the way, is Terri Burdine Fischer, owner of Clarkston strip club Strokers. Make that a schwing! vote.)
Another reason for the apparent disinterest in the race is the possibility that, apart from recreational candidate “Joe from Decatur” Bembry, most voters are fairly confident that any of the four serious contestants would be, well, perfectly adequate.
Along with Watson, who serves as chairman of the DeKalb state House delegation, the candidates include two-term Commissioner Burrell Ellis; former state Sen. Steen “Newslady” Miles; and Ann Kimbrough, chief of staff to outgoing CEO Vernon Jones.
With no formal polls done, the consensus among local political mavens seems to be that the primary will result in a runoff election between Ellis and either Watson or Kimbrough.
Ellis, a real estate attorney, is running a well-organized campaign and recently nabbed the endorsement of the AJC. Watson was the earliest to get into the race and is well-known in South DeKalb, but has – at last count – trailed far behind Ellis in terms of fund-raising.
Miles, who jumped in at the last moment, is also a well-known figure in DeKalb, but her campaign has been nearly invisible, with no website and few yard signs.
Kimbrough, on the other hand, has been the surprise of the race. She’s ended up on the defensive at debates as the other candidates aim criticisms at the Jones administration, but she’s sure to capture votes from Jones supporters. Some of her print ads have shown her and Jones standing side-by-side. Kimbrough is generally well-liked and seems to have broad support in South DeKalb and among women voters. Female candidates have traditionally polled well in the county’s elections.
One last item of interest: In a typical year, one way to determine who had a leg up in a race was to see who’d been endorsed by such DeKalb mega-church leaders as New Life’s Bishop Eddie Long. This election, however, the churches are reputedly staying away from politics due to closer scrutiny from Congress.
The next CEO candidate forum is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8, from 7-9 p.m. at the Ray of Hope Christian Church at 2778 Snapfinger Road, Decatur. For more information, call 877-858-1033. Send questions for candidates by e-mail to ceodebate@comcast.net.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
There was a time when there would have been a comma after CEO in that headline. There also would have been no prayer of a black man winning that slot. Progress is a beautiful thing.