Ga. labor commissioner announces bid for US Senate

ATLANTA - Georgia's labor commissioner says he will run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Johnny Isakson.

Michael Thurmond, one of the most prominent black Democrats in the state, said Wednesday he is running to improve the lives of Georgia residents.

Thurmond, an Athens native, will need to win the Democratic primary in July against a lesser known opponent. The winner will face an uphill fight against Isakson, who has more than $4 million in the bank for his re-election bid.

Thurmond has served three terms as labor commissioner. Before that he served as a state lawmaker and head of the state's Department of Family and Children's Services.

Isakson recently returned to the campaign trail after being hospitalized for a bacterial infection and an irregular heartbeat.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/4/228818