Retiring U.S. Sen Johnny Isakson has endorsed former Congresswoman Karen Handel in her bid to regain the 6th District seat held by Democrat Lucy McBath.
Isakson, a Republican from East Cobb who represented the 6th District from 1999-2005, said in a statement that Handel is “who I trust to represent us in Congress, and I’m proud to support Karen to be our next representative” for the seat that includes East Cobb, North Fulton and North DeKalb.
Here’s the rest of Isakson’s statement, released by the Handel campaign:
“Karen Handel is one of the hardest working people I know. Karen has proven time and again that she is a problem solver who focuses on results rather than politics. In Congress, she established herself as a leader on the issues we care about—reducing taxes, and helping small businesses; combating the opioid crisis; protecting those with pre-existing conditions and expanding health care options for all.”
Handel said “it is humbling to receive his support and endorsement of my campaign to represent the district he once held.”
Isakson’s endorsement comes a week after State Sen. Brandon Beach of North Fulton withdrew his candidacy in the GOP primary and said he would run for his current post, citing persuasion from Gov. Brian Kemp to provide “bold leadership under the Gold Dome.”
The GOP field also was reduced on Monday when Nicole Rodden of North Fulton, a former officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine and Navy reserves, announced she was dropping out. She said in a statement that she was doing so “in the name of unity:”
“It became evident to our team that without the proper resources to spread our own campaign message, we had no positive pathway to the general election.”
Rodden had raised $167,000 since April, with $98,000 coming from the candidate in the form of a loan. That’s far behind Handel, Beach and Milton businesswoman Marjorie Green, who is still campaigning and who also has loaned her campaign most of the $500,000 she has raised.
McBath edged Handel in one of the more hotly-contested U.S. House races in 2018 as Democrats gained control of the chamber.
McBath has raised more than $1.7 million to $712,000 for Handel through the end of September, according to Federal Elections Commission disclosure reports.
National Republicans have targeted the 6th District in their attempt to recapture the House in 2020.
UPDATE: Georgia’s junior U.S. Senator, David Perdue, and Gov. Brian Kemp also have endorsed Handel.
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