Herschel Walker to Run for Senate Seat Held by Raphael Warnock

August 25, 2021 by Dan McCue
Herschel Walker to Run for Senate Seat Held by Raphael Warnock
In this May 29, 2018, photo, President Donald Trump, left, and his daughter Ivanka Trump, right, watch as former football player Herschel Walker, center, throws a football during White House Sports and Fitness Day on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

ATLANTA, Ga. — Herschel Walker has filed paperwork to enter the U.S. Senate race in Georgia, the Heisman Trophy winner joins other Republicans seeking to unseat Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in 2022.

Walker, who came to national prominence in the early 1980s as a University of Georgia running back, had been viewed as a possible candidate for months.

This was mainly due to former President Donald Trump who enthused via email in March, “Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the legendary Herschel Walker ran for the United States Senate in Georgia? 

“He would be unstoppable, just like he was when he played for the Georgia Bulldogs, and in the NFL. He is also a GREAT person. Run Herschel, run!” Trump wrote.

On Wednesday, Walker entered the race, issuing a statement in which he said, “Our country is at a crossroads, and I can’t sit on the sidelines anymore.” 

“In the United States Senate, I will stand up for conservative values and get our country moving in the right direction. It is time to have leaders in Washington who will fight to protect the American Dream for everybody,” he added.

Though his name recognition makes his entry in the Georgia Senate race noteworthy, the first-time candidate is likely to face scrutiny over his actual place of residence — the Georgia native has lived in Dallas, Texas for years — and about issues related to his diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder.

Though Walker has spoken and even written a book about his diagnosis, CNN and other news organizations have already been pouring over divorce and business documents, turning up accusations that he repeatedly threatened his ex-wife, made exaggerated claims of financial success and allegedly alarmed business associates with unpredictable behavior.

Walker has not responded to those reports and did not do so today as he formally announced his candidacy.

Instead, he touted the fact he grew up in Wrightsville, Georgia, and that he “dedicated his life to helping others” with mental health issues, including “thousands of troops and patients struggling with mental health.” 

“America is the greatest country in the world, but too many politicians in Washington are afraid to say that,” Walker said. “Where else could a poor kid from a small town in Georgia become valedictorian of his high school, earn the Heisman Trophy, play professional football, represent the United States in the Olympics, and become CEO of multiple companies? I have lived the American Dream, but I am concerned it is slipping away for many people.”

Three Republican candidates — Georgia agriculture commissioner Gary Black, construction firm owner Kelvin King and banking executive and Navy veteran Latham Saddler — have already announced their campaigns.

Earlier this summer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell even suggested to allies that former Georgia Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, both Republicans, should take another look at running again, after their narrow losses in January flipped the Senate to Democratic control.

A+
a-
  • 2022 election
  • Donald Trump
  • Georgia
  • Herschel Walker
  • Raphael Warnock
  • Senate
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    2022 Elections

    April 4, 2023
    by Dan McCue
    Report: Failure to Embrace Center Led to Santos Victory

    WASHINGTON — A new analysis of the 2022 electoral race that elevated admitted Republican fabricator George Santos to Congress suggests... Read More

    WASHINGTON — A new analysis of the 2022 electoral race that elevated admitted Republican fabricator George Santos to Congress suggests local Democratic leaders made a series of critical blunders heading into the contest, not the least of which was not running a more centrist candidate against... Read More

    Democrat Katie Hobbs Takes Office as Arizona Governor

    PHOENIX (AP) — Katie Hobbs took the oath of office Monday to become Arizona’s 24th governor and the first Democrat... Read More

    PHOENIX (AP) — Katie Hobbs took the oath of office Monday to become Arizona’s 24th governor and the first Democrat to hold the office since 2009. Hobbs was sworn in during a private ceremony at the state Capitol as she formally took over from Republican Doug... Read More

    Democrat Wins Arizona Attorney General Race After Recount

    PHOENIX (AP) — A recount of votes has confirmed Democrat Kris Mayes narrowly defeated Republican Abraham Hamadeh in the Arizona... Read More

    PHOENIX (AP) — A recount of votes has confirmed Democrat Kris Mayes narrowly defeated Republican Abraham Hamadeh in the Arizona attorney general’s race, one of the closest elections in state history. The highly anticipated results announced Thursday in Maricopa County Superior Court are among the last... Read More

    December 22, 2022
    by Dan McCue
    McClellan Wins Democratic Nomination in Virginia’s 4th CD

    RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan overwhelmingly won the Democratic nomination to succeed the late A. Donald McEachin... Read More

    RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan overwhelmingly won the Democratic nomination to succeed the late A. Donald McEachin in Congress, garnering 84.81% of the vote, party officials announced early Thursday morning. McClellan far outdistanced her chief rival for the party’s nod, Joseph Morrissey, receiving... Read More

    December 21, 2022
    by Dan McCue
    It’s All Over but the Vote Counting in ‘Firehouse’ Primary in Va.

    RICHMOND, Va. — More than 26,400 people turned out to vote in a “firehouse” Democratic primary held in Virginia's 4th... Read More

    RICHMOND, Va. — More than 26,400 people turned out to vote in a “firehouse” Democratic primary held in Virginia's 4th Congressional District on Tuesday — so many that the party had to reportedly print as many as 10,000 additional ballots to keep up with demand. "The... Read More

    Democratic Sen. Warnock Wins Georgia Runoff Against Walker

    ATLANTA (AP) — Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock defeated Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a Georgia runoff election Tuesday, ensuring Democrats... Read More

    ATLANTA (AP) — Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock defeated Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a Georgia runoff election Tuesday, ensuring Democrats an outright majority in the Senate for the rest of President Joe Biden's current term and capping an underwhelming midterm cycle for the GOP in the... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top