Former Sen. Johnny Isakson, a champion of veteran’s affairs, longtime public servant and statesman respected by both parties, has died at 76.
A statement from Gov. Brian Kemp mourned the loss of Isakson, the only Georgian to serve in both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly and the United States Congress.
“Johnny Isakson personified what it means to be a Georgian,” Kemp said. “Johnny was also a dear friend to Marty, the girls, and me — as he was to so many. He answered the call to public service many times over his career as a state legislator, minority leader in the Georgia House, chair of the State Board of Education, congressman, and finally as senator.”
Isakson, a Republican, stepped down from the U.S. Senate in 2019 due to growing health concerns, including Parkinson’s disease and fractured ribs suffered from a fall.
“I am leaving a job I love because my health challenges are taking their toll on me, my family and my staff,” he said.
In an era where rancorous partisanship has made bipartisan compromise a true rarity, Isakson had a reputation for being a great listener, man of principle and an honest broker when it came to handling politics and policy.
“His work to champion our veterans, deliver disaster relief for Georgia farmers after Hurricane Michael, and always stand up for Georgia’s best interest in the U.S. Senate will live on for generations to come,” Kemp said. “As a businessman and a gifted retail politician, Johnny paved the way for the modern Republican Party in Georgia, but he never let partisan politics get in the way of doing what was right.”
Before his farewell address to the Senate, a seven-minute video was released including former and current Senate colleagues heaping praise on the “compassionate, honest and bridge-building public servant.”
“He will always be remembered for honesty and integrity, and setting an example of intellectual honesty for a younger generation of people who are going to be our leaders tomorrow,” the late former Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn said.
Kemp appointed financial services executive Kelly Loeffler to hold Isakson’s seat, and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock won a special election runoff for the seat in January 2021.
This is a developing story and will be updated. This article appears on Now Habersham through a partnership with GPB News.
