Herschel Walker is a former American football running back, bobsledder, and mixed martial artist. He played college football for the University of Georgia, earned consensus All-American honors three times and won the 1982 Heisman Trophy.
Herschel Walker: Primary| Polls| Results| Did win| Election
Primary:
Former football star Herschel Walker has clinched Georgia’s Republican nomination for the Senate, NBC News projects, setting up a general election against Sen. Raphael Warnock, the Democratic incumbent, who also won his party’s primary Tuesday.
The race, which is projected to be one of the most competitive in the country, will be a rare case of two Black candidates competing in a critical Senate contest.
Polls:
Walker’s top rival in the GOP primary, Gary Black, relentlessly cited such stories in an effort to defeat him, calling the old allegations “disqualifying.” Black also told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week that he wouldn’t support Walker in the general election.
“He hasn’t earned my vote,” Black, the state’s agriculture commissioner, told the newspaper.
Results:
Warnock, meanwhile, has boasted of strong fundraising as he made it through an easy primary. He disclosed having about $23 million on hand in a pre-primary campaign finance report. Walker reported having about $7 million.
With the Senate split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, both parties see Georgia as a must-win.
Did win:
Walker defeated five fellow Republicans: Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, former Trump administration official and Navy veteran Latham Saddler, retired brigadier general Jon McColumn, contractor and Air Force veteran Kelvin King and former state Rep. Josh Clark.
Walker is a political newcomer but has nearly unmatched name recognition in Georgia from his days as a college football running back. He led the University of Georgia football team to a national title during the 1980 season and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982.
Election:
Former President Donald Trump, a close friend of Walker’s, backed his run.
Walker’s electability was questioned due to business dealings and his history of violence against women. Walker has been open about his long struggle with mental illness and acknowledged violent urges.
