The resignation of one man is leading to a major shakeup for the 2020 Senate battleground.
After Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson announced his exit from the U.S. Senate at the end of this year due to health concerns, speculation about which pseudo-celebrity Democrats in the Peach State might run began. Former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and former congressional candidate Jon Ossoff topped the list of hopefuls who might launch a bid for Isakson’s seat or challenge Republican Sen. David Perdue.
Alex Brandon/AP, FILE
Sen. Johnny Isakson speaks during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 26, 2018.
While a Democratic official told ABC News earlier this week that there is a possibility of Ossoff jumping into the Georgia race “in the near future,” before Isakson announced his resignation, a spokesperson for Abrams distanced her further from a potential Senate bid after the announcement, telling ABC News, “Leader Abrams’ focus will not change. While she will not be a candidate herself, she is committed to helping Democratic candidates win both Senate races next year.”
Next year, the GOP is defending upwards of 20 seats in a battlefield with few foxholes. But Isakson’s resignation could mean even more for Democrats, who need a net gain of four seats to flip the chamber — and just three if a Democrat wins the presidency. Their path to the majority will now almost certainly run through Georgia, and the open seat could potentially determine the balance of power for the entire chamber in a race that could stretch to January 2021.
THE PLAYLIST
ABC News’ “Start Here” podcast. Thursday morning’s episode features ABC News’ Kyra Phillips and ABC News Political Director Rick Klein, who examine Trump’s priorities as Hurricane Dorian passes Puerto Rico on its way toward Florida. Then FiveThirtyEight Editor-In-Chief Nate Silver explains why Georgia could be a crucial state for Democrats hoping to retake the Senate in 2020. http://apple.co/2HPocUL
ABC News’ “Powerhouse Politics” podcast. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., told ABC News Political Director Rick Klein and Deputy Political Director MaryAlice Parks that Trump’s performance at the G-7 summit exposed a new reality where other world leaders are increasingly sidelining or ignoring the U.S. He also said that there is less than a 50-50 chance expanded gun background checks will pass. https://apple.co/2Zfz5nD
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
