Sen. Isakson will run again. But the truly fascinating question isn't whether Thurmond would run, but which Republican would if Isakson did not.

Tom Crawford of Capitol Impact writes:

Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond has toyed with the idea of running for lieutenant governor for several months now but has still not announced whether he will actually run for that office. Thurmond’s silence has already drawn one Democratic candidate into the race for the state’s second highest office: Carol Porter, a Dublin newspaper executive and the wife of gubernatorial candidate DuBose Porter.

Thurmond is an eloquent campaigner who’s already won three statewide races for labor commissioner and would be a very credible candidate for lieutenant governor. If U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, who’s now been hospitalized twice in a two-week period, turns out to have health issues that prevent him from running for another term, Thurmond would be a strong contender for that seat. The issue with Thurmond, as always, lies in getting him to make a decision.

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on Thurmond staying home and running for a fourth term as labor commissioner. We’ll find out for sure during the week of April 26.