Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), who had been widely rumored to be interested in running for governor in 2010, said at a staff meeting this morning that he plans to seek re-election when his term is up in two years.

Isakson’s spokeswoman Sheridan Watson confirmed this afternoon that the first-term Senator told his staff that he wants to remain in the Senate rather than make his second run at the governor’s mansion.

Isakson ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1990, and if he had chosen to run for the seat again he would have faced a tough Republican primary against state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine (R), who has already announced for the race.

Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) will not be able to run for re-election when his term is up in 2010; some political observers had suggested that he might have taken a look at a Senate bid if Isakson had decided to run for governor.

— John McArdle