Former NFL star Herschel Walker is expected to easily win the Republican Senate nomination in Georgia, securing her seat on the ballot to face Senator Rafael Warnock (D-Ga.) In November.
NBC and ABC News announced the race 20 hours ago. ET
While half a dozen Republicans wanted the party’s nomination to the Senate in Georgia, Walker has long been considered a favorite to win Tuesday’s primary. He jumped into the race last summer and quickly gained the support of former President Trump.
Beyond Trump’s approval, Walker entered the Senate race as a star in his own right after playing football for the University of Georgia for two years before embarking on a long career in the NFL.
The general election between Warnock and Walker is one of the highest stakes in the country.
Warnock, who is running for his first full seat in the Senate after winning last year’s run-off, is a major goal for Republicans as they seek to win back their Senate majority in a politically challenging year for Democrats.
The party is already defending the smallest possible Senate majority, and given the weakening of President Biden’s approval and many domestic political challenges, Republicans appear to be well into regaining control of the upper house.
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However, Warnock proved to be a prolific fundraiser and a skilled orator, raising hopes among Democrats that he would be able to overcome the strong headwinds in November.
Walker, meanwhile, has his own responsibilities. He has never run for public office, has been accused of domestic violence and has spoken openly about his mental health problems.
However, he remains a favorite figure for many Georgians and has political winds behind him this year. Recent opinion polls show a tough race, with a study from The Hill and Emerson College published last month finding Walker 4 points ahead of a direct match against Warnock.
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