Written by Nathan Lane
AtlantaDec.7 – Democrat Raphael Warnock won re-election to the US Senate in a close runoff in Georgia on Tuesday, cementing his party’s slim majority against former Republican football star Herschel Walker.
Warnock’s predicted victory was difficult. With 99% of the vote counted, Walker led by 50.8% to 49.2%, according to Edison Research.
The result cements Georgia as a battleground state sure to play a prominent role in the 2024 presidential election. Democrats have won three Senate races in the past two years in the former Republican stronghold, and Democratic President Joe Biden has won the state in 2020.
“Let’s celebrate a little on this mountain. Let’s dance because we deserve it.” Warnock, a Baptist preacher, told a crowd of supporters tomorrow.
Walker’s defeat also marks a setback for Donald Trump in his bid for the Republican nomination to run again for the White House in 2024. The former president endorsed Walker and dozens of other prominent Republicans in this year’s midterm elections, but with mixed results in the most competitive of races.
Walker’s campaign has been plagued by bitter recriminations. A staunch advocate for abortion, he was also hurt by reports that he paid several ex-girlfriends to get abortions, accusations he denied.
Warnock has highlighted these issues in appearances on the campaign trail and in a barrage of TV ads that made the race the most expensive of the 2022 midterm election season, with more than $400 million spent.
“Award-winning alcohol trailblazer. Hipster-friendly internetaholic. Twitter ninja. Infuriatingly humble beer lover. Pop culture nerd.”