Commissioner Sutton emerged from a very crowded primary field and into a runoff with Viola Davis. Ms. Davis is well known at the DeKalb County Commission as the Unhappy Taxpayer. She is usually wearing a yellow unhappy smiley face T-shirt and is a frequent speaker during the public comment period. While an avid populist, Ms. Davis had little experience or money in the runoff against Ms. Sutton.

Commissioner Sutton’s campaign manager was Warren Mosby. It is generally known they are romantically involved and he is on her paid county staff. Warren is the brother of Rep Howard Mosby and the sister of Atlanta City Councilwoman Natalyn Mosby Archibong. Warren Mosby, Commissioner Larry Johnson and Board of Commission Chief of Staff Morris Williams have created a power center that is frequently at odds will Ellis and white the commissioners. There is bad blood between Ellis and Larry Johnson that goes back to Ellis beating Johnson in an election to become presiding officer of the Commission in 2007 and 2008. Prior to his election as CEO, Burrell Ellis usually voted with the 3 white commissioners and helped reign in the excesses of Vernon Jones.

Ironically Ellis’s 4th district successor has joined the 3 other black commissioners and often votes in a bloc opposing CEO Ellis. Burrell Ellis made a big mistake when he did not try and influence the 4th District race because it was the swing vote on the Board of Commissioners. Larry Johnson was elected presiding officer of the Commission. He makes all of the committee assignments including determining the chairman. He appointed Sutton to Chair the Public Safety Committee, which helps to understand the reluctance of DeKalb County police to arrest Commissioner Sutton for her outstanding warrants.

Ellis’s failure to influence the 4th District seat has left him with Sutton voting against him and a racially polarized Commission. It has forced him to play footsy with Connie Stokes who is challenging Hank Johnson. Ellis was notably absent at Congressman Johnson’s re-election kick-off.
Sutton who is also on the Budget Committee doesn’t appear to be particularly competent in managing her personal finances. It is a little dangerous to elect people to public office who have financial problems. The next thing you know they are doing a favor for the wrong reasons. Hopefully a good candidate runs against her, but that is two years away. In the mean time, Sutton has placed herself in a vulnerable position and she might have to work more closely with Ellis to avoid a well funded opponent.

The Feds might want to investigate Sharon’s campaign finances. She may want to resign before that happens, because she’s going to be in big trouble if that happens.

BTW – for those who have asked – no, I’m not Viola Davis. But I do love that lady!