Ninth District Georgia Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) says outgoing Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson is a mentor who he tries to emulate.
Collins made his comments following Isakson’s announcement that he’s resigning after 40 years in public office.
“Johnny Isakson has been a standard of public service and statesmanship for decades in Georgia,” Collins said. “He’s always drawn on his extensive roots in our state to deepen his advocacy for all Georgians. Johnny faithfully remembers the forgotten, including America’s veterans.”
Sen. Isakson announced his resignation on August 28, citing health concerns.
“I am leaving a job I love because my health challenges are taking their toll on me, my family and my staff,” he said.
The 74-year-old senator was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013. In July, Isakson fell in his D.C. apartment and suffered four fractured ribs and a torn rotator cuff. On Monday, August 26, he underwent surgery at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta to remove a renal cell carcinoma from one of his kidneys.
“In my 40 years in elected office, I have always put my constituents and my state of Georgia first,” said Isakson. “With the mounting health challenges I am facing, I have concluded that I will not be able to do the job over the long term in the manner the citizens of Georgia deserve.” He added, “It goes against every fiber of my being to leave in the middle of my Senate term, but I know it’s the right thing to do on behalf of my state.”
Well wishes and a special election
Sen. Isakson said he informed Georgia Governor Brian Kemp of his decision and will resign his senate seat effective December 31, 2019.
“I look forward to returning to Washington on September 9 when the Senate goes back into session. And after December 31, I look forward to continuing to help the people of Georgia in any way I can and also helping those who are working toward a cure for Parkinson’s.”
Kemp said he will appoint an interim-successor at “the appropriate time.”
“No one embodies the heart and soul of Georgia more than Johnny Isakson,” said Kemp. Isakson is the only elected official in Georgia to serve in the Georgia House, Georgia Senate, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate.
Kemp praised Isakson for his accomplishments and called him a “true gentleman, a fighter for his constituents, a trusted advocate for our nation’s veterans, and one of the greatest statesmen to ever answer the call of service to our country.”
Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan joined Kemp in wishing the ailing senator well.
“Over the course of his career, Senator Isakson consistently put Georgians first and embodied what it means to be a workhorse and not a show horse in Washington. He built the Republican Party of Georgia from the ground up, and I am so thankful for his conservative leadership,” Duncan said.
Isakson was re-elected to his third-term in office in 2016. When he leaves office there will still be three years left in his term. Voters will choose a permanent successor to fill out the remainder of his term during a special election in November 2020. Georgia’s other Senate seat, currently held by David Perdue, is also up for election next year. And that could be a game-changer in Georgia. Democrats are expected to try and capitalize on the political momentum the party gained in 2018 and make a strong bid for both U.S. Senate seats.
This article has been updated with comments from Gov. Kemp and Lt. Gov. Duncan
