Bevy of politicians fly into Albany on last day of campaigning

ALBANY — It was somehow fitting that Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson would close what is likely his final campaign Monday in the place it all started 18 years ago.

“All of this started 18 years ago here in Albany,” Isakson said. “And we are ending it here today. After this, I am flying home to Atlanta and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Isakson is running for his third term in the Senate against Democratic newcomer Jim Barksdale.

Georgia’s senior senator is the only Republican in the Senate chairing two committees: the Senate Ethics Committee and the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Senate HELP Committee, Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

On Monday, the Senator arrived in a jet that also carried Gov. Nathan Deal and Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton. In addition, the small lobby of the Eagles of America lobby was crowded with state representatives, supporters and well-wishers.

“This is the most critical election we’ve faced since 1980, when a malaise seemed to grip the country,” Isakson said. “This election reminds me of 1980. We had Jimmy Carter running for election against some guy named Ronald Reagan, and we all know how that turned out.”

Prior to the start of the event, Isakson, 71, took a moment to talk about his campaign. Most conversations usually begin with questions about the Senator’s health. He announced in June of last year that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

“My health is fine, I’m doing good,” Isakson said. “I have decided to do everything my wife (Dianne) tells me to do, so I am assured of a long and healthy life.”

Asked the major difference between himself and his opponent, Isakson said, “I have a clear record of being a true conservative. Check my back ground against Jim Barksdale’s and choose accordingly.”

Will he be happy when the polls close Tuesday night?

“I’m always glad when it’s over,” he said. “It is good to get some relief from the past two years of campaigning.”

“All of Johnny Isakson’s capacity, both public and private, have always been used for the betterment of the people of Georgia,” Deal said. “He has always been able to work in a small body such as the U.S. Senate, where it takes the ability to work across the aisle to make things happen.”

Prior to Isakson’s arrival, Secretary of State Brian Kemp flew into Albany to assure Georgia voters of the security of the state’s election system.

“Yes, this is an unusual trip, but it’s been an unusual election year because of the DNC hack and allegations of vote-rigging being in the media almost non-stop,” Kemp said. “I want the voters of Georgia to know we have a very secure voting system. It’s a closed loop system, and none of it is ever connected to the Internet.

“As the chief elections officer in the state of Georgia, I always have concerns. But we don’t think the voters should be concerned. We take our jobs very seriously and regard any attempt at a hack or intrusion as an attack of the fabric of American democracy.”