{"id":2471401,"date":"2025-08-06T09:14:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T13:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michael-thurmond-jumps-into-crowded-democratic-primary-for-georgia-governor\/"},"modified":"2025-08-06T09:15:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T13:15:03","slug":"michael-thurmond-jumps-into-crowded-democratic-primary-for-georgia-governor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michael-thurmond-jumps-into-crowded-democratic-primary-for-georgia-governor\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Thurmond jumps into crowded Democratic primary for Georgia governor"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmichael-thurmond-jumps-into-crowded-democratic-primary-for-georgia-governor%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2471401&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Michael Thurmond, former DeKalb County CEO and Georgia Labor Commissioner, announced his Democratic candidacy for the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial race to succeed outgoing Republican Governor Brian Kemp. With over 40 years of political experience, Thurmond aims to run a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-lawmakers-to-square-off-in-new-colorado-congressional-district\/\" title=\"State Lawmakers to Square Off in New Colorado Congressional District\">competitive campaign<\/a> in the swing state, focusing on improving conditions for working families, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >expanding healthcare access<\/a>, and enhancing education. He joins a crowded field of Democratic contenders, including State Sen. Jason Esteves, State Rep. Derrick jackson, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and pastor Olu Brown.On the Republican side, candidates such as Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones have declared their runs. If elected, Thurmond would be the first Democrat to win Georgia&#8217;s governorship in 28 years.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond jumps into crowded Democratic primary for Georgia governor<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2196794\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Former DeKalb County CEO <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Michael Thurmond<\/a> announced on Wednesday a Democratic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-ny-gov-cuomo-may-be-prosecuted-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations\/\" title=\"Biden: NY .... Cuomo May Be \u2018Prosecuted\u2019 Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations\">gubernatorial campaign<\/a> to succeed outgoing Georgia Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/brian-kemp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Brian Kemp<\/a> (R-GA).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Thurmond, who has also served as Georgia&rsquo;s Labor Commissioner and superintendent for DeKalb County Schools, joins a crowded pack of Democratic candidates vying to flip the state&rsquo;s governor&rsquo;s seat ahead of the 2026 election. After more than four decades in politics, Thurmond said he has the experience necessary to win what will likely be a competitive campaign against Republican challengers in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/swing-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">swing state<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3492074\/marsha-blackburn-announces-run-for-tennessee-governor\/\">Marsha Blackburn announces run for Tennessee governor<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3491998\/mary-sheffield-wins-detroit-mayoral-primary\/\">Mary Sheffield dominates Detroit mayoral primary in race to succeed three-term Mike Duggan<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3491964\/abbott-texas-democrat-ringleader-wu-emergency-order-supreme-court\/\">Abbott targets Texas Democrat &#8216;ringleader&#8217; Wu in emergency order to state Supreme Court<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The number one concern of the Democrats I talked to is that they want a candidate who can win,&rdquo; he said, adding his campaign&rsquo;s platform will focus the the &ldquo;fight for working families, protect and expand access to healthcare, and build an education system that creates multiple pathways to success.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I bring a record of service and accomplishments,&rdquo; Thurmond said. &ldquo;I, throughout my career, never shied away from taking on tough jobs.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>State Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who served in the White House under former President Joe Biden&rsquo;s administration, and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown have already thrown their hats into the race ahead of the Democratic primary. Former Republican Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who recently switched parties, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3491784\/geoff-duncan-changes-voter-registration-democrat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">also speculated <\/a>he may run for &ldquo;higher office.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"PfQb6v1ruZo\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Boots on Georgia Ground\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PfQb6v1ruZo?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>While the once firmly red Georgia has been viewed as more of a swing state in recent years, Thurmond&rsquo;s party could still <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abortion-clinics-push-supreme-court-to-fast-track-challenge-to-texas-law\/\" title=\"Abortion Clinics Push Supreme Court To Fast-Track Challenge to Texas Law\">face long odds<\/a> in claiming the governor&rsquo;s mansion. If he wins, Thurmond would become the first Democrat to win the state&rsquo;s top office in 28 years.<\/p>\n<p>Thurmond teased his gubernatorial campaign during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlantanewsfirst.com\/2025\/07\/18\/michael-thurmond-hints-2026-georgia-governors-bid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">July appearance<\/a> at the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia&rsquo;s Annual Congress of Christian Education in Albany.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3465380\/trump-ally-burt-jones-campaign-georgia-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">TRUMP ALLY BURT JONES ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR GEORGIA GOVERNOR<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to talk long today because they only gave me four minutes,&rdquo; he joked. &ldquo; I ain&rsquo;t going to stay long, but y&rsquo;all invite me next year, when I&rsquo;m running for governor, I&rsquo;m going to be up here for a while.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>On the Republican side, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Lt. Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3465380\/trump-ally-burt-jones-campaign-georgia-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Burt Jones<\/a> have announced gubernatorial runs. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) weighed in on speculation last month that she would be running,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3485821\/marjorie-taylor-green-shuts-down-rumors-of-2026-bid-for-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> telling observers<\/a> that she had decided against doing so partly due to concerns about sexism in Georgia&rsquo;s &ldquo;good &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/marjorie-taylor-green-shuts-down-rumors-of-2026-bid-for-governor-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Marjorie Taylor Green shuts down rumors of 2026 bid for ...ernor - Washington Examiner\">ole boy system<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2196794\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2196794\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michael Thurmond enters crowded Democratic race for Georgia governor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2471402,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/michael-t.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32807,52565,60730],"class_list":["post-2471401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-democratic-primary","tag-georgia-governor","tag-michael-thurmond"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/michael-t.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2471401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2471401"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2471401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2471405,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2471401\/revisions\/2471405"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2471402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2471401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2471401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2471401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}