U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson announced earlier this week that he will step down from office at the end of 2019. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC editor Shannon McCaffrey share immediate reactions to Isakson's retirement and also dig into Isakson’s career to talk about why he is so well-respected in Georgia. The two also discuss how a second Georgia U.S. Senate seat on the ballot in 2020 impacts both state politics and Georgia's status as a battleground state ahead of the presidential election. Also, Gov. Brian Kemp will appoint a senator to Isakson’s seat, and Bluestein and McCaffrey discuss both the potential appointees and the potential impact of Kemp’s appointment.

Subscribe on Apple PodcastsGoogle PlayStitcherSpotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. You can also download or stream the episode above.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks to reporters as he heads to the chamber, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS