Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy winner, professional football player and author, speaks at the Army Suicide Prevention Health Fair held at the Pentagon Sept. 12, 2012. (Photo by Dwayne Rider, OTSG, 120912-A-WQ300-074.jpg)
With the election of Raphael Warnock to a full term in the Senate, Georgia, which has long been a reliable state for GOP candidates, has cemented itself as a purple state. The loss is a blow to President Donald Trump, who was the most important backer of Herschel Walker’s bid for the Senate. It’s also a loss for the Georgia GOP, which is watching its grip on the state’s political seats slip away. The Wall Street Journal’s Cameron McWhirter reports on the election runoff:
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock won re-election in a Georgia runoff contest Tuesday, defeating GOP challenger Herschel Walker, who had been backed by former President Donald Trump.
The Associated Press called the race for Mr. Warnock Tuesday night. With 96% of the vote counted, Mr. Warnock had 50.8% to 49.2% for Mr. Walker.
The contest is closely watched by both parties. Tuesday’s result will offer more clues to Georgia’s political direction after a series of contests for governor, senator and president in recent election cycles.
“After a hard-fought campaign—or should I say campaigns—it is my honor to utter the four most powerful words ever spoken in a democracy: The people have spoken,” Mr. Warnock said to a cheering crowd at his victory party.
Mr. Walker conceded the race in brief remarks to supporters, urging people to continue to vote in elections and support elected officials. He didn’t mention Mr. Warnock by name.
“There are no excuses in life, and I’m not going to make any now because we put up one heck of a fight,” he said.
Mr. Warnock’s victory means that Democrats will control the Senate 51-49 starting in January, slightly increasing their hold on the chamber they have held since early 2021, when Mr. Warnock was first elected along with his Georgia Democratic colleague Sen. Jon Ossoff.
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