Georgia Republican Senator Johnny Isakson announced Wednesday that he will resign from his seat at the end of 2019 due to Parkinson's disease and other medical problems.
"I am leaving a job I love because my health challenges are taking their toll on me, my family and my staff,” Sen. Isakson said in a statement. "My Parkinson’s has been progressing, and I am continuing physical therapy to recover from a fall in July. In addition, this week I had surgery to remove a growth on my kidney."
"After much prayer and consultation with my family and my doctors, I have made the very tough decision to leave the U.S. Senate at the end of this year. I have informed Georgia Governor Brian Kemp today that I will resign my Senate seat effective December 31, 2019," he continued.
SEN. JOHNNY ISAKSON to resign (R-GA) Dec. 31 due to health reasons: ‘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’ pic.twitter.com/6UsKIBrpES
— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) August 28, 2019
He confirmed that he will return to D.C. after recess ends in August. Isakson was elected in 2016. His next re-election would have been in 2022.
Isakson serves the chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee
Now, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will appoint a replacement senator, though the governor has not announced any potential prospects. Isakson still had millions on hand for campaign purposes.
As of most recent filings, Senator Johnny Isakson has over $2.4 million on hand. https://t.co/cChRQZvALC
— OpenSecrets.org (@OpenSecretsDC) August 28, 2019
This likely sets up two 2020 Senate races in Georgia. https://t.co/jKZKh6CEhw
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.