John Hardy (Johnny) Isakson Papers, 1960s-2020

Summary

Creator:
Isakson, John Hardy (Johnny), 1944-
Date:
1960s-2020
Extent:
48.6 Linear Feet 37 boxes, 5 oversized boxes, and 1 oversized folder.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

John Hardy (Johnny) Isakson papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of materials related to former State and U.S. Congressman Johnny Isakson. The bulk of the materials document his campaigns for various offices, legislation, and constituent correspondence from the 1980s-2000s.

Biographical / historical:

John Hardy "Johnny" Isakson (1944-2021) was a Senator and Representative from Georgia, who served in both the State and U.S. Legislature. Isakson was born in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1966. After graduation he joined the Georgia Air National Guard and worked for Northside Realty, where he served as President for many years. His first run for public office was in 1974 when he ran for Cobb County Eastern District Commission, but he won his run for Georgia House of Representatives in 1976. He served as the Minority Leader in the State House from 1983-1991. In 1990, he ran for Governor of Georgia, winning the Republican Primary but ultimately lost to Zell Miller. In 1992, Isakson won a seat in the Georgia Senate but lost his run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sam Nunn in 1996. This same year he was elected Head of the State Board of Education by Governor Zell Miller. In 1999, Isakson won a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives seat that Newt Gingrich had vacted, where he served until he won a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2005. Isakson served as a Senator from Georgia until his retirement

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into five series: Campaigns, Correspondence, Legislative Files, Personal Files, and Oversized Materials/Artifacts. Materials are then organized into subseries, chronologically and alphabetically.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

John Hardy (Johnny) Isakson papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602.