The surprise resignation by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., on Wednesday morning not only creates one more Senate race next year, but raises the odds on Democrats overturning the present 53-47 seat majority Republicans hold in the "upper House of Congress."
Several strong Democrats already had lined up to take on Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., who is up for re-election in 2020.
Now, any of them could simply switch to the special election that is expected to be called to fill Isakson's seat after his resignation becomes official Dec. 31, 2019.
Among the Democratic hopefuls mentioned for the soon-to-be-open seat are former State Sen. Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and himself the 2014 Democratic nominee for governor, and Jon Ossoff, who lost a nationally watched special election for Congress in Georgia's 6th District two years ago.
Stacey Abrams, who lost the much-disputed race for governor last year, quickly took herself out of the forthcoming special election but vowed to help Democrats pick up both seats in the Peach State.
At this point, it is uncertain whom Republican Gov. Brian Kemp will appoint to Isakson's seat in December.
The three-termer Isakson, 74, has been battling Parkinson's disease for the past several years.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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