Thurmond joins Georgia governor's race, citing experience and record
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Michael L. Thurmond. Photo: Courtesy of Ben Rollins Photography
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.