ATLANTA – Surrounded by family, supporters and many of Georgia’s elected officials at the Georgia Capitol, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today announced he will seek re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2016.
“I made the decision sometime back, along with my wife Dianne and my family, that the good Lord willing and Georgians supporting that I would run again for the United States Senate,” Isakson said during today’s announcement.
“There are two principle reasons that I made that decision: I did not want to become a ‘lame duck’ senator in the United States Senate for two years,” Isakson continued. “I want to work every day, shoulder-to-shoulder, with this governor and this legislature to move Georgia forward.”
“Reason number two, I learned everything I know about legislating on the third floor of both sides of this building. I was in the state Senate and in the state House. I learned the legislative process under a Constitution that requires a balanced budget, that doesn’t allow you to deficit-spend, under a Constitution that works like the federal government ought to work, but doesn't.”
“And I want to try and continue to do what I've done for 16 years in Washington, and that’s bring Georgia values and Georgia conservatism to the capital of the United States of America in Washington. They need that really bad!”
After an introduction by Gov. Nathan Deal, Isakson made the announcement surrounded by members of the Georgia Republican delegation to U.S. House, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Georgia Speaker David Ralston, and members of the state Legislature.
Isakson brings 40 years of private-sector business experience to Congress.
Isakson is building his campaign for 2016 using the successful strategy from his elections in 2004 and 2010, when he won with nearly 57.9 percent and 58.3 percent of the vote, respectively.