Walker, Warnock, Oliver running in US Senate race
One of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats is up for election again. The two candidates — incumbent Raphael Warnock and challenger Herschel Walker — won their primaries handily. Another candidate, Libertarian Chase Oliver, has also qualified for the Nov. 8 general election.
The seat
Warnock was elected in 2021 in a special election to fill out the term of the late Sen. Johnny Isakson, who retired due to ill health. He defeated Republican Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill Isakson’s seat prior to the special election.
Isakson had served two full terms, but with mounting medical issues he retired at the end of 2019 with two years left in his tenure. Because Isakson’s term was not completed, Warnock has only served briefly in office before running for re-election to a full six-year term.
Previous reporting:Johnny Isakson, former Georgia Republican U.S. senator, dies
Whether Warnock or Walker wins, they will serve alongside Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff to represent Georgia’s interests at the federal level. Warnock’s and Ossoff’s victories last year narrowly gave Democrats control of the chamber; with 50 Democratic and 50 Republican senators every race has the potential to tip the legislative branch.
Analysis:3 things to know about Georgia U.S. Senate race: Celebrity brands, big money and turnout
Sen. Raphael Warnock, Democrat
Warnock is an ordained minister and has served as senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta for 15 years prior to running for Senate. Ebenezer was founded by the father of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr.
Warnock currently sits on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. He also serves on the Congressional Joint Economic Committee.
On the issues:Where Sen. Raphael Warnock, challengers stand
In his year-plus in the Senate he has focused on health care and economic issues.
Warnock has introduced legislation to create a federal, Medicaid-like work-around for residents of states that have not expanded Medicaid, including Georgia. In June, a bill Warnock introduced to cap insulin prices at $35 was included in a bipartisan proposal to lower insulin costs.
Warnock has also worked on economic development issues, touting his work on the SK Battery plant in Commerce and the $2 million in federal funding for an inland port in Hall County. He has also been a vocal advocate of suspending the federal gas tax.
In his personal life, Warnock is involved in a legal custody battle with his ex-wife, Ouluye Ndoye, who is suing for more custody of their two children and increased child support payments.
Herschel Walker, Republican
Read More:Trump-endorsed candidates won and (mostly) lost on their own merits in Georgia, say strategists
Walker played football for the University of Georgia and was part of the team that won the 1980 national championship. After playing for the Bulldogs, Walker spent 15 years in the National Football League. He also went to the 1992 Winter Olympics in bobsledding and competed as a Mixed Martial Arts fighter. Outside of athletics, Walker has been involved in a number of business ventures.
Walker won his primary despite skipping a number of major Republican events and primary debates. He ran on a positive platform of values over policy specifics, although he has put forward some proposals.
‘Let Herschel be Herschel’: Walker’s icon status brings him out of Trump’s shadow in U.S. Senate race
Walker said he wants to lower taxes and advocates fewer government regulations. He also wants to make the United States energy independent and lower gas prices. His campaign has knocked the gas tax suspension as a political stunt, although he still supports suspending it.
Walker has publicly talked about prior mental health issues and alleged violence towards women. More recently he has come under scrutiny for failing to mention he had three children besides his son, Christian. Walker has said he never denied the children.
Chase Oliver, Libertarian
Chase Oliver has previously run for office to replace former Georgia Rep. John Lewis. Now he is running against Warnock and Walker for the Senate.
More on Oliver:Chase Oliver hopes to be Georgia’s first LGBTQ member of Congress
His priorities include criminal justice reform, police accountability, an end to U.S military interventions abroad and legalizing marijuana. Oliver also wants to reduce government regulation on small businesses.
Read More: Walker, Warnock, Oliver running in US Senate race