Candidate Q&A DeKalb County Commission District 5

Mereda Davis Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from Tennessee State University. Mereda has a Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern University. Mereda is a co-founder and past president of the DeKalb Lawyers Association, where she continues to volunteer. She formerly served on the Board of Directors of DeKalb Hospital Authority and the Georgia Democratic Committee, serving as a member at large. She is also a former Board Member of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., Georgia Legal Services, Inc., and has served as a volunteer lawyer for Decatur Cooperative Ministry. Mereda and her husband, Congressman Hank Johnson, reside in South Dekalb County and have two children. 

Mereda Davis Johnson has been a practicing attorney for over 33 years and specializes in family law. Mereda is a co-founding partner of the law firm Johnson Hopewell Coleman, LLC. 



Mereda Davis Johnson is the County Commissioner in DeKalb County District 5 and is running for re-election. Mereda has held this position since 2015. In 1985, she became the first black female judge appointed to the DeKalb County Courts. 

Hopes to construct a new Lucious Sanders Recreation Center in Lithonia. Additionally, plans to renovate the Lithonia Amphitheater to attract more visitors.

- Hopes to construct a new Lucious Sanders Recreation Center in Lithonia. Additionally, plans to renovate the Lithonia Amphitheater to attract more visitors.

Public Services

Supported raising the minimum wage to $15 as County Commissioner.

Does not support the creation of new cities in DeKalb County.

- Supported raising the minimum wage to $15 as County Commissioner.
- Does not support the creation of new cities in DeKalb County.

Economy

As of March 23, 2024, Mereda Davis Johnson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Voted in favor of pay increases and other benefits for public safety employees in DeKalb County.

- Voted in favor of pay increases and other benefits for public safety employees in DeKalb County.

Public Safety

Said, "I remain committed to working with our city, development authority and other partners to ensure that our residents have access to affordable housing."

- Said, "I remain committed to working with our city, development authority and other partners to ensure that our residents have access to affordable housing."

Housing & Urban Development

Wants state laws that ensure the safe handling of coal ash as it transports through DeKalb County.

- Wants state laws that ensure the safe handling of coal ash as it transports through DeKalb County.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Mereda Davis Johnson

Mereda Davis Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from Tennessee State University. Mereda obtained her Juris Doctorate from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston. Mereda is a co-founder and past president of the DeKalb Lawyers Association, where she continues to volunteer. She formerly served on the Board of Directors of DeKalb Hospital Authority and the Georgia Democratic Committee, serving as a member at large. She is also a former Board Member of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., Georgia Legal Services, Inc., and has served as a volunteer lawyer for Decatur Cooperative Ministry. Mereda and her husband, Congressman Hank Johnson reside in South Dekalb County and have 2 children. 

Mereda Davis Johnson has been a practicing attorney for over 33 years and specializes in family law. Mereda is a co-founding partner of the law firm Johnson Hopewell Coleman, LLC. In 1985, she became the first black female judge appointed to the DeKalb County Courts. 



Mereda Davis Johnson is currently the County Commissioner in DeKalb County District 5 and is running for re-election. Mereda has held this position since 2015.  

As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson allocated over $4 million to non-profit organizations in DeKalb.

- As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson allocated over $4 million to non-profit organizations in DeKalb.

As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson supported raising minimum wage to $15 an hour.

- As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson supported raising minimum wage to $15 an hour.

As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson voted in support of funding $500,000 to youth programs.

As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson invested $1,000,000 to go towards youth programming.

- As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson voted in support of funding $500,000 to youth programs.
- As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson invested $1,000,000 to go towards youth programming.

Said, "I am proud to have advocated and voted in support of pay increases and other benefits for our public safety employees since I have been a commissioner in DeKalb County."

- Said, "I am proud to have advocated and voted in support of pay increases and other benefits for our public safety employees since I have been a commissioner in DeKalb County."

As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson voted in support of the $388 million Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funding to go towards fixing roads, improving public safety and recreation, and repairing general infrastructure.

Plans to construct a new Lucious Sanders Recreation Center in Lithonia. Additionally, plans to renovate the Lithonia Amphitheater to attract more visitors.

Plans to advocate for state laws to ensure the safe handling of coal ash as it transports through DeKalb County.

- As County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson voted in support of the $388 million Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funding to go towards fixing roads, improving public safety and recreation, and repairing general infrastructure.
- Plans to construct a new Lucious Sanders Recreation Center in Lithonia. Additionally, plans to renovate the Lithonia Amphitheater to attract more visitors.
- Plans to advocate for state laws to ensure the safe handling of coal ash as it transports through DeKalb County.

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.