Democrat Michael Thurmond, former Dekalb County CEO, announced his campaign for Georgia governor on Aug. 6. to counteract the Trump administration’s changes regarding public health, education and economics.
“I think he’s a very strong candidate,” Robbie Ashe, a lawyer whose firm represents the Democratic Party of Georgia, said. “He has a long lifetime of work in public service, so that experience counts towards him. He is not who I’m personally supporting, but if he gets elected as Georgia governor I think he would do well, and right by our state.”
One key point of Thurmond’s campaign has been expanding access to health care, specifically Medicaid.
In a gubernatorial forum in Houston County, Thurmond said, “If you and I will stand in the gap at this critical moment in the history of our nation, we will make sure that 750,000 Georgians will not lose their Medicaid.”
Kim Koporc, a Public Health Bulletin project manager at the Center for Disease Control, highlighted the importance of public health.
“When everyone has access to health care, we all benefit because, … as healthier individuals, we can achieve our full potential to contribute to creating a better society,” Koporc said.
Koporc referenced The Commonwealth Fund which ranks Georgia’s health care system the 5th worst in the country. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 41 states have implemented Medicaid expansion. Georgia is among the nine that haven’t.
“I believe one of the reasons the state of Georgia’s ranking is so low is that we do not have Medicaid Expansion,” Koporc said. “I also believe if a portion of the population is denied access to health care, we all suffer, but this belief is hard to quantify.”
One aspect of public health in Georgia is the disparity in health care access and treatment between African American communities and white citizens.
“Regarding equity, according to the March of Dimes, the infant mortality rate for Blacks was more than double for Whites,” Koporc said.
Laurence O’Toole, a UGA Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus of Public Administration and Policy, said Medicaid cuts have negative implications for rural hospitals.
“Rural hospitals are able to stay afloat because they get income from Medicaid,” O’Toole said. “If that person is dropped off the Medicaid rolls, there is no support or subsidy for that bill. Rural hospitals are sweating on how to stay open.”
Ashe said making certain promises a reality may be difficult because of Georgia’s Republican-controlled legislation.
“We have two Democratic senators, but our legislators are largely Republican,” Ashe said. “It would take someone who would be able to work with Republicans to make changes. He spent time in the legislature so it’s not a foreign concept to him.”
O’Toole addressed this concern, saying his state-wide experience can help him navigate challenges.
“He is the only candidate with state-wide experience so I think that will help him,” O’Toole said. “If I were him I would emphasize where I’ve come from and my ability to do bridge building and the fact that he’s taken on initiatives that require involvement with both parties.”
Education is another key issue in Thurmond’s campaign. Thurmond was a Labor Commissioner and Superintendent of Dekalb Schools, so he brings experience to this issue.
“We can ensure that every child will have access to a quality education,” Thurmond said. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re born in North Georgia, Middle Georgia, or South Georgia. I am a former school superintendent of DeKalb County, Georgia. During my tenure we increased the graduation rate, we increased test scores. We eliminated a $27 million deficit and left a $90 million surplus.”
In addition to public health and education Thurmond plans to address the economic changes following Trump-era tax cuts.
“The Big Beautiful Bill includes major tax cuts for Americans who have more income,” O’Toole said. “There are some teasers that seem to be aimed at working people, but those are nickels and dimes compared to the federal. Running a campaign based on working people and people who need it, and the Big Beautiful Bill are the exact opposite.”
Thurmond has emphasized standing up against Trump, and counteracting his policies. He said by bounding together as one entity, that is how to achieve this.
“We’re going to build a coalition, a coalition of the willing, so that we can stand up to Trump,” Thurmond said. “Right has no color. Right is right, and we will fight here in Georgia boots on the ground. As your governor I promise I’m going to work everyday.”
