Kemp Opens Georgia US Senate Appointment Search With An Application

Freshen up your resume and bust out your thesaurus for the cover letter – it's application season for those seeking to be the next person to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced Tuesday that his office will be vetting would-be lawmakers who submit an application, including contact information, a resume or C.V., confirmation that you meet age and residency requirements and an acknowledgement that the public will get to see your interest in being appointed.

The appointment will be to replace Sen. Johnny Isakson's (R-Ga.), after he announced late in August he would be stepping down from his seat at the end of 2019.

MORE: Johnny Isakson Speaks About His Decision To Resign From US Senate

Isakson's term lasts through 2022, but state law requires the appointee to be on the ballot during the next statewide election, which will be the same election Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) is also up for a vote. Because it is a special election, the format of the contest will pit all qualified candidates against each other, and the top two vote-getters regardless of party advance to a January runoff.

That means the appointee could have to appear on a ballot by themselves (in a runoff) and on the same elections as both President Donald Trump and Kemp, so the governor has an extra level of consideration toward who he selects.

“To ensure an open and transparent appointment process, I am encouraging all Georgians who want to serve in the U.S. Senate to submit their name and qualifications,” Kemp said in a statement. “We will carefully vet the applicants and choose a person who best reflects our values, our state, and our vision for the future.”

"Transparent" is a key word that could add a wrinkle to those who might prefer behind-the-scenes lobbying for the job. The governor's office says they will release the names of those who apply on a regular basis – no need for an open records request.

So far, four Democrats are in the race for the nomination against Perdue, with several more expected to enter that race and the race for Isakson’s seat once Kemp makes his appointment.