North Fulton Advisory Roundtable with Commissioner Bridget Thorne

Bridget Thorne
Commissioner, District 1
Fulton County

Bridget Thorne is the Commissioner for District 1 which encompasses Johns Creek, and parts of Roswell, Alpharetta, and Sandy Springs. Elected in 2022, Bridget, her husband Kenny and their family have lived in North Fulton for 27 years. She is passionate about having a positive impact for ALL of Fulton County.

Growing up in southern Illinois, Bridget's parents taught her early about the importance of serving others. Her Hispanic mother, in particular, felt education was the only way to break the cycle of poverty.

?My Mom worked as a bilingual teacher and ran a summer program for migrant children.? While helping her Mom each summer, Bridget witnessed families adapt to living in the United States and make a difference through their hard work. They were especially satisfied their children and future generations would have the same opportunities. These early experiences shaped Bridget?s commitment to the transformative nature of individual opportunity and freedom.

Bridget is a professional software designer and a grassroots community advocate and volunteer. She has served on several boards including Alpharetta Parks Visionary Committee, Alpharetta High School Foundation Board, Parent Teacher Student Association (VP of Communications), Young Men?s Service League, Local and National Boards. She has volunteered with many nonprofits; North Fulton Charities, Senior Services - Meals on Wheels, Miracle League, Habitat for Humanity, Homestretch, City of Refuge, Atlanta Union Mission, and World Relief.

Bridget believes that fiscal responsibility is one of the most important duties of a Fulton County Commissioner. A top priority is keeping a ?fresh-eyes? perspective on Fulton County operations, to institute more effective accountability measures and create standard operating procedures based on best practices. One-third of the county budget is spent on public safety, so representing all Fulton County taxpayers in the policies that both combat and contribute to rising crime rates is a main focus.

As opioids/fentanyl flood into the northern suburbs, Bridget believes the continuing education of our youth on the dangers of drug-use is crucial. As a volunteer, Bridget has seen first-hand the value of non-profits working in these areas of concern and the potential of these types of partnerships to make a positive difference in the lives of Fulton County residents.

Bridget continues to be a vocal advocate for election integrity, transparency and efficiency. Throughout her nine years working Fulton County elections, she strived to make the election process more efficient and cut long wait times. Voter data security is a particular area of interest. Her goal is to make Fulton County Elections the gold standard in elections security and integrity.

Bridget earned her M.B.A. and B.S. Industrial Design from Georgia Tech, which she attended on a track scholarship. She was later inducted into the Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame. She is an advocate for youth sports. She has coached on many levels from Girls on the Run to co-founding the first North Fulton Track Club.

As a Commissioner, Bridget is committed to an engaged, informed and transparent decision-making process. Bridget welcomes conversations on the issues that are important to you and hopes to see you often when she is out working in your community.