Georgia congressman Hank Johnson says he will run for re-election despite having hepatitis C

Ga. congressman to run again, depite hepatitis C

LITHONIA, Ga. — Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson says he will run for re-election even though he is still being treated for hepatitis C.

The 55-year-old Democrat said Saturday at his campaign headquarters that he is strong and ready to run for a third term in the district covering the eastern suburbs of Atlanta.

Johnson had appeared thin and frail in recent months before announcing in December that he was being treated for the serious liver disease. His staff says he has had aggressive treatment and hasn’t shown signs of the virus in a year.

Former DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones is running against Johnson in the primary. No Republicans have announced plans to run in the heavily Democratic district.