a public official was the construction of a $20 million school for young people with disabilities at the historic Roosevelt Institute in Warm Springs, Georgia. In 2016, Thurmond decided to run for the open DeKalb County C.E.O.'s office being vacated by term-limited incumbent Democrat Burrell Ellis. He won overwhelmingly in the Democratic Primary, and went on to win by a significant margin over his Republican opponent in the November 2016 General Election. Thurmond began his four-year term on January 1, 2017. He is the recipient of two honorary doctorate degrees from Clark Atlanta University and LaGrange College. Thurmond has also served as a motivational speaker to state school board associations in nine Southern states on issues regarding leadership, diversity, and public education advocacy in the 21st century. He presently serves on the Board of Curators of the Georgia Historical Society. U.S. Senate campaign In April 2010, Thurmond announced his intention to run for the United States Senate, challenging incumbent Republican Johnny Isakson. He easily defeated his opponent in the Democratic primary, county employee RJ Hadley, on July 20. He lost the general election to Isakson and was succeeded as Commissioner of Labor by former state representative Mark Butler, a member of the Republican Party. Publications Thurmond's book, Freedom: Georgia's Antislavery Heritage, 1733-1865, was awarded the Georgia Historical Society's Lilla Hawes Award. The Georgia Center for the Book listed Freedom on its 2005 list of The 25 Books All Georgians Should Read. Personal life He is married to Zola Fletcher Thurmond, and they have one daughter, Mikaya Thurmond. Notes References Michael L. Thurmond – Superintendent, DeKalb County School District The History Makers About the Department of Labor |- 1953 births African-American state legislators in Georgia (U.S. state) Living people State labor commissioners in the United States Democratic Party members of the Georgia House of Representatives Paine College alumni University of South Carolina School of Law alumni 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people