Herschel Walker to Run for Senate Seat Held by Raphael Warnock
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.