Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
11.4%
39.7%
8.8%
6.2%
Democrat
Michael Thurmond
Georgia Democratic Governor nominee?
$2.0M
MAY 26, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Commissioner
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
Age73 years old (Jan 5, 1953)
GenderMale
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LocationGeorgia
BackgroundAttorney
EducationPaine College — B.A., Philosophy and Religion
Notable personal detailsMichael L. Thurmond is an American attorney, author, and Democratic politician in Georgia. He served as Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County (beginning January 1, 2017) and previously served three terms as Georgia Commissioner of Labor (1999–2011). He was interim superintendent of the DeKalb County School District (2013–2015) and previously served in the Georgia House of Representatives.
SourcesShowHide
naco.orgen.wikipedia.orgapnews.comballotready.orgmikethurmond.comdekalbcountyga.govwsbtv.comnews.uga.eduajc.combranch.votegpb.orgatlantamagazine.mydigitalpublication.comatlantanewsfirst.comfox5atlanta.comnowgeorgia.comontheissues.orgroughdraftatlanta.comlaniercountynewsonline.comthechampionnewspaper.comthegeorgiasun.comaxios.comfacebook.comwsbradio.comdecaturish.comatlanta.capitalbnews.orgthecurrentga.orgmercercluster.comnbcnews.comthehill.comusatoday.comcbsnews.combluevoterguide.orgballotpedia.orgyoutube.cominstagram.comhistory.house.govgovinfo.govhelp.senate.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgbioguideretro.congress.govwikidata.orgncsl.orgfec.govnga.orgclerk.house.govjustfacts.votesmart.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Michael (Mike) Thurmond has advocated targeted tax relief measures, including substantial property-tax relief through DeKalb County EHOST credits and proposals to exempt tips and overtime from Georgia state income tax. His fiscal actions as DeKalb County CEO emphasized millage rollbacks, balanced budgets, and using local sales tax revenues to reduce homeowner property tax burdens.
Healthcare
Mike Thurmond supports protecting and expanding access to health care in Georgia, including pursuing Medicaid expansion if elected. He frames preserving healthcare for working families and opposing federal actions that would cut benefits as priorities of his campaign.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports providing services and protections for immigrant children in public systems and emphasizes that schools must educate all children regardless of immigration status; he frames immigration-related issues in humanitarian and service-access terms rather than enforcement-first language. His public remarks focus on accommodating and supporting immigrant families (e.g., reopening enrollment/assessment centers, hiring Spanish-speaking staff) and using state resources to blunt federal policy impacts.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate has expressed that abortion should be "rare and safe," indicating support for access to abortion while emphasizing limits or restraint. Public reporting presents a pro-choice-leaning position but framed toward reduced use rather than unrestricted access.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate has emphasized funding for public safety, supporting increased resources for police, training, and violence-interruption/mental-health response programs while framing crime prevention as a priority. There is no clear, direct public statement located that lays out his positions on specific gun-policy measures (e.g., assault weapons bans, universal background checks, red flag laws) as of the available sources.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Michael Thurmond is in the news because he is running in Georgia’s Democratic governor primary, where he has been campaigning and taking part in the race’s debates. Recent coverage shows him trailing Keisha Lance Bottoms in polling and, in the first round of the primary, finishing third with 13.35% of the vote. The race remains active, but the reports suggest Thurmond is not currently among the front-runners.
naco.org+45
Articles
ACAugusta Chronicle2 months ago
Bottoms wins Democratic governor primary, Republican race to runoff
Neutral
TAThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution3 months ago
Michael Thurmond, Democrats’ ‘sleeper’ candidate, is where he wants to be
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
Rick Jackson leads GOP candidates in new Georgia governor poll
Negative
UTUSA TODAY3 months ago
Ossoff's office to investigate how data centers will increase rates
Neutral
Polls
Georgia Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Georgia Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Michael Thurmond for Georgia Democratic Governor nominee?
Senator Gloria Butler
Elected official
Senator Gloria Butler endorsed Michael Thurmond for governor.
Floyd Griffin
Elected official
State Representative Floyd Griffin endorsed Michael Thurmond for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising