Harry Johnston Announces Re-Election Bid

Another incumbent has announced his bid to run for re-election.

Cherokee County Commissioner Harry Johnston will seek re-election to a fourth term representing District 1 on the board.

Johnston, who is touted as the "unofficial financial leader" on the Board of Commissioners, is best known for his stance on "responsible residential growth" and fiscal conservative practices, according to a press release. 

The commissioner said he's responsible for introducing long-term planning to the county, and boasts about Cherokee having the second lowest tax rate in the metro Atlanta area and the 11th lowest rate throughout the state.

“And with our rock-bottom tax rates, we still have excellent county services," he said. "Those include a nationally accredited sheriff’s office, tops-in-state EMS, fire service being upgraded to ISO 4 or even 3 and expanding recreation facilities including a fabulous new aquatics center." 

Johnston added he loves Cherokee County, has no plans to relocate and would like the county to retain its reputation as a "great place to live." 

That being said, Johnston noted the county's land use plan allows "more than adequate growth, over the next 20 years, while preserving rural densities in almost of the county's land area.

"We all benefit from keeping the small town feel and rural countryside that attract people to the county," he said. "No-growth isn't an option, but if we stick to the land use plan, we can protect the quality of life we love and give the schools and roads a chance to keep up."

Over the next four years, Johnston said he'd like to see the county fast track economic development "to bring more good jobs to Cherokee and completing the voter-approved parks expansion program, while keeping taxes among the lowest in Georgia."

Johnston was elected in 2000 to fill an unexpired term and has been re-elected in 2002, 2006 and 2010. Before coming to the county commission, he served on the Cherokee County Planning Commission.

Johnston, 61, is a 48-year Canton resident.  He and his wife, Rebecca, have been married for 38 years and have two adult children.  

He is a life-long Republican, and a long-time active member of the local Republican Party. 

He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in finance and accounting from Georgia State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant, and works as an accountant for Southern Company. 

He’s a graduate of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Cherokee and is the past Chairman of the Cherokee YMCA where he also was honored as Volunteer of the Year. 

Johnston also served as a Cherokee County library trustee, president of the Kiwanis Club of Canton and lieutenant governor of the Georgia District. He’s a deacon, church treasurer and long time Sunday School teacher at Heritage Baptist Fellowship. 

For more information, Johnston can be reached at (404) 408-6017 or at (770) 479-5327 after 8 p.m.

He's also available to talk to residents following each county commission meeting.