| Elections in Georgia |
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The 2016 DeKalb County, Georgia Chief Executive Officer election took place on November 8, 2016. Incumbent CEO Burrell Ellis was indicted for perjury and attempted theft by extortion in 2013 and was suspended from office by Governor Nathan Deal on July 16, 2013, who appointed County Commissioner Lee May as interim CEO.[1] Burrell was term-limited and could not seek another term, and May declined to run in the 2016 election.[2]
Former Labor Commissioner Mike Thurmond won the Democratic primary over former State Senator Connie Stokes and perennial candidate Joe Bembry in a landslide, receiving 72 percent of the vote. In the general election, he was opposed by retired businessman Jack Lovelace, the Republican nominee. Thurmond defeated Lovelace, 80–20 percent, and won his first term as CEO.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Mike Thurmond, former interim Superintendent of the DeKalb County School District, former Georgia Commissioner of Labor, 2010 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate[3]
- Connie Stokes, former State Senator, 2014 Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor[4]
- Joe Bembry, perennial candidate[5]
Declined
- Lee May, interim CEO, former County Commissioner[2]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Thurmond | 39,639 | 71.82% | |
| Democratic | Connie Stokes | 14,180 | 25.69% | |
| Democratic | Joe Bembry | 1,370 | 2.48% | |
| Total votes | 55,189 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jack Lovelace, retired businessman[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jack Lovelace | 7,568 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 7,568 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Thurmond | 241,773 | 79.85% | |
| Republican | Jack Lovelace | 60,621 | 20.02% | |
| Write-in | 402 | 0.13% | ||
| Total votes | 302,796 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- ↑ Hunt, April; Bluestein, Greg (July 17, 2013). "Indicted CEO Ellis removed". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. A1. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- 1 2 Niesse, Mark (February 6, 2016). "Interim CEO won't run for job". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. A1. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ↑ Niesse, Mark (February 17, 2016). "DeKalb CEO race takes shape". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. A1. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ↑ Niesse, Mark (January 16, 2016). "Ex-state senator running to be DeKalb CEO". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. B2. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- 1 2 Niesse, Mark (May 14, 2016). "DeKalb CEO candidates vow change". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. B1. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- 1 2 "Election Summary Report - DeKalb County - State of Georgia Primary and Nonpartisan General Election - May 24, 2016" (PDF). DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections. May 27, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Election Summary Report - DeKalb County - State of Georgia General Election - November 8, 2016" (PDF). DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections. November 14, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2025.