Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson On Resignation: 'I'm Not Done Yet'

ATLANTA, GA — In an interview with WSB-TV, and since announcing his resignation, Georgia U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson says he has a message for Georgia. "I'm not done yet." In the interview he says that he’s still available to help constituents through Dec. 31st.

Isakson tells reporter Aaron Diamant, "I'm not gone yet, I've got some holes to fill, I've got some holes to dig and I've got some things to do and I'm going to do them."

“I'm still open for business until the 31st of December, so if you live in the state of Georgia, and you have a problem with your government, don't hesitate to call me. I'll try and help you any way I can," Isakson said.

During the interview, Isakson tells Diamant that this wasn’t an easy decision.

“You don't do anything for 21 years and not love it … and I've loved it,” he said. “I started missing it before I even told anybody I was going to have to resign, but I knew I had to.”

In August, Sen. Isakson shared in a statement that he would be resigning due to health challenges. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013. In July, Isakson fell in his D.C. apartment, which resulted in four fractured ribs and a torn rotator cuff. He later had surgery at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta to remove a 2-centimeter renal cell carcinoma from one of his kidneys.

"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," said Isakson.

"I am leaving a job I love because my health challenges are taking their toll on me, my family and my staff. 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."

Patch reported that Isakson’s Senate term would conclude in 2022, but there’s still three more years left after he steps down in December. Gov. Brian Kemp will appoint a replacement. Voters will now have two Georgia U.S. Senate races on next year’s ballot.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced the deadline to apply for Isakson’s Senate seat ends Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. Applicants can apply online.

"I am encouraging all Georgians who want to serve in the U.S. Senate to submit their name and qualifications by Monday, November 18," said Governor Kemp, WSB-TV reports. "We will continue to carefully vet each applicant and nominate a person who will best serve our state and country."