CLARKSTON - Just a few months after revealing he suffers from hepatitis C, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson suddenly faces a crowded field of rivals as he seeks a third term in Congress.

Johnson ran unopposed in 2008 as he sought re-election in his heavily Democratic district in suburban Atlanta. Now five candidates have lined up to run against him, including two high-profile Democrats.

In early February, Johnson completed an aggressive treatment of daily Interferon shots that left him irritable, alarmingly thin and occasionally depressed. Now he finds himself in what could be the toughest battle of his political life.

Johnson realizes that his health issue may have opened the door for his opponents. But he also points to a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment that could present a challenge

Johnson, 55, said he's feeling strong - his body free of the virus that was detected more than a decade ago - and is ready for the heavyweight challenge he's expected for some time now.

He chalks up the new fight to a nagging sense among some Georgia Democrats that he got lucky when as a little-known county commissioner in 2006 he ousted Cynthia McKinney, the firebrand congresswoman. Johnson entered the race a few months before McKinney struck a Capitol Hill police officer. Voters in McKinney's district - used to her sometimes outrageous remarks - had finally had enough and Johnson coasted to a runoff win.

"There's some disrespect," Johnson said on a recent swing through his district in DeKalb County.

"Folks are still wondering, 'How did he get elected?'" Johnson said. "They assume I benefited from the 'anyone but Cynthia' vote. But I have to claim full credit for realizing what the mood of the people was in the 4th District at that time."

The 4th Congressional District is heavily Democratic. In 2008, 79 percent of voters cast a ballot for Barack Obama compared to 20 percent for Republican John McCain. So, Johnson's toughest competition will almost certainly occur in the July primary when he'll face off against two seasoned opponents - former DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones and DeKalb County Commissioner Connie Stokes.

Stokes, 56, served in the state Senate for a decade before her 2004 election to the DeKalb County Commission where she's led the budget and finance committee.

The 49-year-old Jones made an unsuccessful bid in 2008 for the Democratic nomination to take on Saxby Chambliss for the U.S. Senate. Before taking the reins in DeKalb County he'd served in the state House of Representatives.

Both are plugging resumes packed with public service.

"Certainly I have more legislative experience than either of the other candidates including the incumbent," Stokes said, arguing the pivotal issue for her in the race is job creation.

Jones said he's balanced a budget, helped small businesses and helped create the state's PeachCare health insurance program for children.

"This is not a race I wanted to run," Jones said. "It was a call of necessity... the people in this district need someone with my experience in Congress."

The Republican candidates are small business owner Liz Carter, management consultant Cory Ruth and Larry Gause, who supports elimination of the income tax.

The Rev. Markel Hutchins, an Atlanta civil rights activist who supports Johnson, called the crush of opponents "unseemly."

"It gives the appearance of being opportunistic," he said.

Johnson notes that Jones was the first one to call him after word broke in December that he suffered from hepatitis. Johnson describes the call as friendly.

"Then a few weeks later he is running against me," Johnson said with a shrug.

"You are too nice," his wife, Mereda, chimes in.

But Johnson just smiles.

Stokes said she won't make Johnson's health an issue in the campaign. But Jones doesn't answer the question directly, instead noting repeatedly that it's going to be a tough year for incumbents.

Johnson acknowledges this. Still, he says voters will judge him on his record and his office's attention to constituent service.

And incumbency has its perks. Johnson was on Air Force One with Obama Tuesday on a trip to Georgia and appeared at the president's side during a stop in Savannah.

Johnson said he doesn't know how he contracted hepatitis C. He only learned he had the condition after his wife noticed he was sleeping too much and he went in for a battery of tests.

The blood-borne liver disease, can often lay dormant for years, health experts said. Although he is now free of the virus, it has already damaged his liver.

He said the experience has made him a vocal advocate for better health care. His own health insurance has made him able to access top-notch treatment that others should be able to get as well, he said.

He's also a strong advocate for more funding to study the condition which affects some 3.2 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When he was diagnosed with the condition, doctors gave him about 20 years to live. Johnson said he expects he will easily surpass that prediction.

Putting in an appearance on a recent sunny Friday before a crowd of small business owners, Johnson spoke about the economy - but could just have easily been speaking about his own prospects.

"I want to tell you all how excited I am about the future," Johnson said.

"When something bad happens, something good happens. That is the rhythm of life."