2008 DeKalb County, Georgia Chief Executive Officer election

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2008 DeKalb County, Georgia Chief Executive Officer election
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
  2004 November 4, 2008 2012  
  3x4.svg
Candidate Burrell Ellis
Party Democratic
Popular vote263,114
Percentage99.48%

CEO before election

Vernon Jones
Democratic

Elected CEO

Burrell Ellis
Democratic

The 2008 DeKalb County, Georgia Chief Executive Officer election took place on November 4, 2008. Incumbent CEO Vernon Jones was term limited and could not seek a third consecutive term, and unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the Democratic primary to succeed Jones, County Commissioner Burrell Ellis; State Representative Stan Watson; Ann Kimbrough, Jones's Chief of Staff; former State Senator Steen Miles; and perennial candidate Joe Bembry all ran.

Contents

Ellis placed first in the primary with 46 percent of the vote, but did not win a majority, and advanced to a runoff election with Watson, who won 26 percent and placed second. In the runoff election, Ellis defeated Watson by a wide margin, winning 63 percent of the vote. Ellis faced no opponent in the general election and won his first term unopposed.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results [6]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Burrell Ellis 31,379 45.84%
Democratic Stan Watson 17,872 26.11%
Democratic Ann Kimbrough9,32513.62%
Democratic Steen Miles6,4589.43%
Democratic Joe Bembry3,4225.00%
Total votes68,456 100.00%

Runoff results

Democratic primary runoff results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Burrell Ellis 38,775 62.56%
Democratic Stan Watson23,20837.44%
Total votes61,983 100.00%

General election

Results

2008 DeKalb County, Georgia Chief Executive Officer election [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Burrell Ellis 263,114 99.48%
Write-in 1,3720.52%
Total votes264,486 100.00%
Democratic hold

References

  1. "Commissioner seeks CEO position". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. January 15, 2008. p. B4. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  2. Tagami, Ty (May 22, 2007). "Legislator wants to fill Jones' shoes as DeKalb CEO". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. D4. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  3. "CEO's staff chief will run for his job". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. April 26, 2008. p. B5. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  4. Tagami, Ty (April 24, 2008). "Candidate says changes needed". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. JE7. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  5. Tagami, Ty (May 8, 2008). "25 qualify for local posts in July primaries". Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Atlanta, Georgia. p. JE11. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  6. "DeKalb County - General Primary and Special Election - Official Election Summary - July 15, 2008" (PDF). DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections. July 18, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  7. "DeKalb County - General Primary Runoff - Official Election Summary - August 5, 2008" (PDF). DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections. August 8, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  8. "DeKalb County General and Special Election - Official Election Summary - November 4, 2008" (PDF). DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections. November 10, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2025.