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Mike Moore recently sat down with Black Georgia gubernatorial candidate Michael Thurmond. The former DeKalb County CEO is among several candidates who have qualified to run for the state’s top office. During the interview, Thurmond addressed a range of issues impacting residents across Georgia.

On Feb. 12, Georgia will celebrate the 293rd anniversary of its founding by Gen. James Oglethorpe in 1733. Georgians should be proud that the 13th British American colony has become a political and economic powerhouse. Thanks to a highly productive work force, accommodating tax laws and strong public infrastructure, various news outlets have ranked Georgia as the best state for business in America.

Watch the full interview of former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond from the AJC's "Politically Georgia" candidate forum held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

ATLANTA, GA - On Saturday, November 15, 2025, Mike Thurmond will join Hosea Helps, Inc. (formerly known as Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless) to distribute Georgia-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs to 500 local families who have been impacted by the government shutdown, loss of SNAP, and other federal assistance delays.

Mike Thurmond released the following statement:

"Tonight, Donald Trump and his allies in Congress once again chose partisanship over the people they swore to serve, and working families will pay the price. Instead of easing the burden on families drowning under Trump's economy, Republicans are fighting to gut nearly half a million Georgians' healthcare and eliminate tens of thousands of jobs."

Mike Thurmond released the following statement:

“I commend Sens. Ossoff and Warnock for standing firm against Washington Republicans' attacks on our healthcare. This Senate compromise is buckling to Donald Trump's demands."

DeKalb County, GA - The Thurmond for Governor campaign announced today that Davan'te Jennings, President of the Georgia Young Democrats, has joined the campaign as a Senior Advisor. In this role, Jennings will support daily campaign operations and serve as an aide to Mike Thurmond as the campaign continues to build momentum across all 159 Georgia counties.

COLUMBUS - On more than one occasion, Michael Thurmond has been brought in to fix something that was broken. In 2013, he was appointed interim superintendent of the DeKalb County School District after it nearly lost its accreditation for mismanagement.

As Georgians, we pride ourselves on fairness, hard work, and standing up for what’s right. That’s why I’m deeply troubled by President Donald Trump’s unconstitutional campaign to oust Lisa Cook, a Georgia native, from the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, where she works to protect jobs and keep our economy stable.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- This time last year, Middle Georgians and others across the southeast were picking up the pieces left by Hurricane Helene’s devastation. Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Michael Thurmond says Georgia is at risk of being unprepared for the next storm, in large part due to the Trump administration’s cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Former DeKalb County CEO and 2026 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Michael Thurmond visited The Atlanta Voice on Monday, Sept. 2, to discuss why he believes he should be the Democratic nominee next November. A former employee at The Athens Voice, a now-closed newspaper that was part of The Voice News Network, Thurmond was hired right out of Paine College to work for The Atlanta Voice’s founder and current publisher’s father, J. Lowell Ware.

DeKalb County, GA – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Mike Thurmond announced today his plan to eliminate state income taxes on tips and overtime earnings to put money back in the pockets of hardworking Georgians. Mike is running for governor to put boots on Georgia ground in the fight to lower the cost of living so that working families can thrive.

ATLANTA — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michael Thurmond has proposed eliminating the state income tax on tips and overtime in Georgia.

Thurmond, who previously served as the state labor commissioner and DeKalb County CEO, believes that exempting tips and overtime from state income tax could return approximately $400 million to the public over five years.

DeKalb County, GA - This week, former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond kicked off his campaign for Georgia Governor. Reporting on Mike’s launch highlighted his deep Georgia roots, engagement with voters outside of metro Atlanta, and record of winning statewide elections.

The former state labor commissioner and DeKalb CEO says his approach can expand Democrats’ reach in Trump’s second term.

Democrat Michael Thurmond said Wednesday he is running for Georgia governor, pledging to fight the fallout from a Republican-backed tax and spending law that cuts Medicaid and public health programs.

The former DeKalb County chief executive told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he sees himself as a problem-solving “bridge builder” who can create bipartisan coalitions to count

Today, former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond officially launched his campaign for Governor of Georgia, bringing to the race his deep Georgia roots, decades of public service, and a proven record of uniting diverse communities to deliver results for working families. As a candidate for Governor, Mike is running to tackle the skyrocketing cost of living, push back against extreme partisan attacks on health care, and be the champion for education in Georgia.

ATLANTA (AP) — Democrat Michael Thurmond on Wednesday announced his 2026 bid for Georgia governor, seeking to add the state’s top office to the long list of positions he has held. Thurmond said in an interview Tuesday that 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.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced he will be running for Georgia governor in 2026.

Just hours before the official announcement, Thurmond sat down exclusively with Channel 2’s Karyn Greer.