Sen. Isakson says he will bypass Georgia gubernatorial bid

By BEN EVANS - Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON --

Georgia Republican Johnny Isakson has decided to seek re-election to the Senate in 2010 and will not run for governor, his spokeswoman said Thursday.

Isakson, who won his Senate seat in 2004, has been widely rumored as a top GOP gubernatorial candidate to succeed Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue when Perdue's final term expires in 2010. Many Republicans believe he would be the immediate favorite if he ran.

His spokeswoman, Joan Kirchner, said Isakson gave the idea "long and serious consideration" but decided he wants to remain in the Senate.

"He was encouraged by many folks back home in the business community to run," Kirchner said. "He came to the conclusion that he loves serving in the U.S. Senate and feels he can best serve the state in the Senate."

Kirchner acknowledged that the announcement comes early, with more than two years to go before the election. But she called it "very definitive" and said Isakson wanted to make his intentions clear.

"He knows there are a lot of folks thinking about their own futures with an open governor's race ahead. He wanted to send a clear signal and put any speculation to rest," she said.

Assuming it holds, the decision would have broad implications for Georgia Republicans.

It would clear the way for a host of other political heavyweights to run for governor and prevent a scramble for Isakson's open Senate seat that could have drawn U.S. House members and others.

So far, one candidate - the state's insurance commissioner, John Oxendine, a Republican - has announced his candidacy for governor. But House Speaker Glenn Richardson, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland and U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston are also mentioned as potential GOP candidates.

House Minority Leader DuBose Porter and former Gov. Roy Barnes are considered possible Democratic contenders.

Isakson, who built a fortune as a Marietta real estate executive, has developed a reputation as a hands-on, practical politician over a 30-year career. He has gradually moved up the political ladder, serving as a state legislator, chairman of the state board of education and a U.S. House member before winning his Senate seat with 58 percent of the vote.

He was the Republican nominee for governor in 1990, getting about 45 percent of the vote in a loss to Democrat Zell Miller.

Perdue became Georgia's first Republican governor since Reconstruction when he defeated Democratic incumbent Roy Barnes in 2002.

The salary for the governor of Georgia is $139,339. U.S. senators receive $169,300 annually.