Price throws name in ring for Georgia Senate appointment

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price has thrown his name in the ring to replace retiring GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson (Ga.), the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) will pick Isakson’s successor, who will then face an election in November 2020.

Kemp has launched a website where Republicans who want to be considered for the opening may submit their résumés, and more than 200 people have already done so.

{mosads}Price, a former six-term congressman, joins other high-profile GOP hopefuls including Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols.

Price resigned from his role in the Trump administration in 2017 after uproar over his use of private jets for official business. He reportedly owes the Department of Health and Human Services $341,000 for the 20 flights that violated federal requirements. Price has already voluntarily repaid the government around $60,000.

Isakson announced his plans to leave the Senate in late August, citing his health struggles after breaking ribs in a fall in July. He has also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and recently underwent kidney surgery.