DeKalb sheriff pondering a run for Congress

DeKalb Sheriff Thomas Brown is considering a run for Congress.

“There are a number of things that I think I can do,” Brown said during a July 17 news conference scheduled by the Thomas Brown for Congress exploratory committee. “I believe I can bring dynamic leadership and a strong voice in the 4th District, something that I don’t believe we have had to the level we have had before.”

Georgia’s 4th Congressional District is currently represented by four-term Congressman Hank Johnson, a member of the House Armed Services and Judiciary committees.

Angelo Fuster, chairman of the exploratory committee, said the committee is trying to “identify possible supporters and contributors that will help us do this if and when [Brown] decides definitely that he will run for this office.”

Brown, who has been DeKalb’s sheriff since 2000, said he has been receiving “calls and encouragement, quite frankly, for years to consider this possibility.”

“I would not sit here and say to you that I do not want to go to Congress,” Brown told reporters, with dozens of supporters behind him. “I do want to go to Congress, but I will tell you that I like the job that I have. It’s an honor to serve the people of DeKalb County, but I look forward to the possibility if it presents itself to serve the people of DeKalb, of Rockdale, of Newton and of Gwinnett County in representing the 4th District.”

“If I choose to do this, I will work not only to be a strong voice on the Democratic side, but to bring and develop relationships on the Republican side as well, as we move the whole pendulum to the center so we can deal, not with just the problems we have in Washington, but [with] real solutions to solve those problems,” Brown said.

“We have been tied down in partisan politics,” he said. “There is a clear line between the Democratic position and the Republican position and I think nobody is reaching across that line to try to come to some type of common ground.”

“We will see where this journey takes us,” Brown said. “This is a tiny step toward a big journey.”

Brown said he is looking for support and encouragement and will make a decision when he thinks it is appropriate.

“No. 1, I want to see the votes,” Brown said. “We obviously have to have the votes to do it. Secondly, I’m not naïve enough to know that I can’t go to a football game without shoulder pads. So, I’m going to have to see some money. I can’t go into this race and try to win this race with $50,000.

“I’m not looking to outraise anyone else that’s going to be in this race because realistically I know I cannot compete with a fourth-term congressman in raising funds,” Brown said. “But if I can raise enough money to help me effectively get my message out…then that will be a guiding force to move me in that direction.”

Brown said he hopes to make the decision on whether to run by early 2014.

“In the unlikely event that it’s not there, then there’s nothing wrong with being the sheriff,” Brown said.