Chris Carr, Georgia attorney general
Photo: John Disney/ALM

Running for election in 2018 was already on Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's to-do list when Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him to replace Sam Olens a year ago. On Thursday, Carr let potential opponents know he's been working on it for a while.

Carr announced the endorsements of 16 current and former members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives from Georgia.

Topping the list is former boss Sen. Johnny Isakson, who was with Carr at the swearing in ceremony for attorney general in the Georgia Capitol Rotunda last November. Before moving on to Deal's team as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Carr served as Isakson's chief of staff. It was there, Carr's statement said, that he “solidified his credentials as a champion of liberty, lower taxes, the rule of law and strong national security.”
Carr's news release featured this statement from Isakson:

“Leadership of the kind Chris Carr is delivering to Georgia gives me hope that we can continue to build on America's strong legacy of statesmanship and selfless service to others. … I know I would not be where I am today if it weren't for Chris Carr. Chris has had a positive influence on his state and his country for many years.”

Missing from the endorsement list was Georgia's other senator, David Perdue, also a Republican.

The list included two former U.S. senators from Georgia, Saxby Chambliss and Mack Mattingly.
Carr's endorsement list named 10 Republican members of congress from Georgia: Buddy Carter, First District; Drew Ferguson, Third District; Karen Handel, Sixth District; Rob Woodall, Seventh District; Austin Scott, Eight District; Doug Collins, Ninth District; Jody Hice, 10th District; Barry Loudermilk; Rick Allen, 12th District; and Tom Graves, 14th District. Also named were former Congressman Lynn Westmoreland, Jack Kingston and Phil Gingrey.

“I'm honored to have earned the trust and support of so many Georgia leaders for my campaign,” Carr said in the news release. “These members of Congress have been on the front lines looking out for the best interests of Georgians for years, and I look forward to many more years of continued work together.”