UPDATE: A spokesperson for Rep. Hank Johnson said, in response to Brown's statements, that the congressman has brought almost $9 million in transportation, education, and housing funding back to Rockdale County.

"As a representative who voted for the Recovery Act and was the SE Regional Whip at the time who helped get the law passed in 2009-2010, Rep. Johnson's efforts translated into Rockdale transportation sector receiving $4 million, school system receiving $4.3 million and housing programs receiving $573,000," said spokesperson Andy Phelan. "The public safety sector received more than $500,000 under the Recovery Act alone."

Also, Johnson sits on the House Armed Services and Judiciary committees, not on the Transportation Committee, said Phelan,.

Here is the breakdown of the funding received.

Rockdale Appropriations under the ARRA (Stimulus funding)

Education:

Family Literacy program - $238,000 for Rockdale County Public Schools in 2009

AVID/Advanced Placement program - $300,000

Establish year-round Pre-K programs, which may include expenses for tuition, transportation, and meals - $400,000

Public safety: ($750,000 collectively in 2009-10)

Conyers police $230,000; Rockdale Sheriff data $150,000 and meth eradication program $120,000

Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, Gang Intervention - $250,000 in 2010.

Transportation:

GRTA Park & Ride Facility ($190,000)

Transportation projects:
RESURFACING OF SR 162 - Salem Road. THIS SECTION OF SR 162 NEEDS RESURFACING BECAUSE THE EXISTING PAVEMENT IS DETERIORATING. SR 162 WAS LAST RESURFACED IN 1985: $1.22 million
RESURFACING OF SR 20 - Loganville Hwy. THIS SECTION OF SR 20 NEEDS RESURFACING BECAUSE THE EXISTING PAVEMENT IS DETERIORATING. SR 20 WAS LAST RESURFACED IN 1990: $506,000
RESURFACING OF SR 20 - Loganville Hwy. THIS SECTION OF SR 20 NEEDS RESURFACING BECAUSE THE EXISTING PAVEMENT IS DETERIORATING. SR 20 WAS LAST RESURFACED IN 1990: $2,188,100.75

Housing projects:

CONYERS HOUSING AUTHORITY, PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND STIMULUS (FORMULA) CAPITAL AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES: $573,059

Neighborhood Stabilization $2.7 million - through the Ga. Dept. of Community Affairs - to help refurbish foreclosed homes.

Rockdale Schools:
TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES: $2,038,761.75. Schools will receive $4.3 million total from the ARRA through 2010 for special education and Title I programs.

Rockdale college students:
More than $165,000 in Pell Grants has been issued in more than 15 grants.

Public Safety:

Conyers Police Department - $409,728 to fund three officers through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and $42,000 to upgrade equipment.

Rockdale County Sheriff's Office. Equipment to enhance law enforcement operations - $178,000.

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(July 17, 11:25 a.m.) DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown announced the formation of an exploratory committee for a bid for the Fourth Congressional District seat.

"I like the job that I have. It's an honor for me to serve the people of DeKalb County. But I look forward to the opportunity, if it presents itself, to serve the people of DeKalb, of Rockdale, of Newton and the people of Gwinnett County in representing the Fourth District," said Brown at a press conference outside the restaurant Arizona's at the Mall at Stonecrest.

"There are a number of things I think I can do. I think I can bring dynamic leadership and a strong voice, something I don't believe we have had to the level that we've had before. I want to be that voice if I choose to do this."

He added, "I will work not only to be a strong voice for the Democratic side, but to bring and develop relationships on the Republican side as well as we move the whole pendulum more to the center so we can deal with the problems we have in Washington but to bring real solutions."

He questioned the influence incumbent Congressman Hank Johnson had in Washington. "What has been brought back from Washington?" Brown asked. "(Congressman Johnson is) close friends with the President. He has a seat on the transportation committee. Unless he can articulate why nothing sufficiently has been brought back here, then it would only lead me to believe that maybe not a whole lot of influence is being exerted in a powerful enough way."

The determining factors to his decision whether or not to run will be poll numbers and fundraising, he said.

"I want to see the votes... Secondly, I'm not naive enough to know I can't go to a football game without some shoulder pads. I'm going to have to see some money. I can't go to this race and try to win this race with $50,000."

"Realistically I know I can't outraise a fourth-term congressman in raising funds. But if I can raise enough to get my message out and talk about the issues and hear what the issues are, that will be a guiding force," said Brown. "I'm not hung up on having the most money, but I need enough money."

Brown said there was no real decision deadline, but he would give himself until around February 2014 to see the funding and polling numbers. "And if it's just not there, it's just not there, and there's nothing wrong with being sheriff." He said he had one set of encouraging poll numbers but was waiting to see more.

Regarding the Rockdale and Newton County portions of the Fourth District, Brown said, "If I decide to take this trip, if I'm elected to be their congressman, I'm not going to be the DeKalb County congressman. I'm going to be the Fourth District congressman."

Congressman Johnson's spokesperson confirmed he is running for reelection. In a released statement, Johnson said, "I look forward to participating in the electoral process that has made this country the envy of the world... I love this country and love serving the people of the Fourth District. I have a strong record and look forward to running on my record. We need a strong Democrat to continue representing the Fourth District."

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DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown will be exploring a bid for the Fourth Congressional District seat, currently held by Congressman Hank Johnson.

Brown, a four-term Sheriff for DeKalb County, has set up a website, www.thomasbrownforcongress.com, and Facebook page and will announce the formation of an exploratory committee at the restaurant Arizona's near the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia Wednesday.

According to his website, Brown began his public safety career in the Atlanta fire department, became DeKalb County fire chief and was eventually appointed public safety director in DeKalb by then DeKalb CEO Manuel Maloof. Brown first ran for sheriff in 2001 and is currently serving his fourth term.

Congressman Hank Johnson is also serving his fourth term in office. He defeated Republican candidate Chris Vaughn in the 2012 election with 73 percent of the vote to Vaughn's 26 percent of the vote. In the 2012 Democratic primary, Johnson won 67 percent of the vote to challengers Courtney Dillard, who had 24 percent and Lincoln Nunnally, who had 8 percent.

The Fourth Congressional District covers parts of Rockdale, Newton, Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.