U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson recently suffered three cracked ribs, but he is keeping up his campaign and official activities.
The 70-year-old Georgia Republican, who is seeking a third term next year, unknowingly cracked the ribs while moving furniture about 10 days ago, spokeswoman Amanda Maddox said. A few days later, experiencing some pain, he went to the doctor for an X-ray and discovered the injury.
The news broke over the weekend, when a University of Georgia political science professor told his class that Isakson's injury would keep him from speaking to his class on Friday.
But Isakson’s office announced Tuesday that the senator will speak to the class after all and then give a news conference to show the world he’s undeterred by the injury.
Isakson suffered a serious health scare when he was hospitalized with a bacterial infection five years ago, but he easily won re-election that year and has kept up a vigorous pace in the Senate. Defying retirement rumors after the departure of his close pal Saxby Chambliss, Isakson announced late last year that he would run again in 2016.
The senator’s staff was eager to show that the injury will not deter his campaign, as Isakson kept up his meetings and a fundraising trip to Texas.
Isakson’s only announced opponent so far is Stone Mountain minister and MARTA engineer Derrick Grayson, a Republican.
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