Georgia runoff: Democratic U.S. Senator Warnock beats Trump-backed rival

Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock won re-election in a tight Georgia runoff on Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger and former football star Herschel Walker. Warnock’s victory comes at a great benefit to Senate Democrats, strengthening their slim majority; the Democratic win was narrow with Warnock receiving 51.4% of the vote and Walker receiving 48.6%. The runoff result cements Georgia as a battleground state that will certainly be highly consequential in the 2024 presidential election. In response to his victory Senator Warnock said, “Let’s celebrate for a little while on this mountain. Let’s dance because we deserve it. But tomorrow we go back down into the valley to do the work.” Herschel Walker’s defeat is also a major setback for former President Donald Trump, who’s handpicked candidates including Walker struggled almost across the board in the midterm election. Walker’s campaign was beset by repeated gaffes and scandals. It came to light recently from multiple reports that Walker, a vocal anti-abortion activist, allegedly paid for multiple former girlfriends to have abortions. Democrats are now on track for a 51-seat majority in the Senate, which should make it slightly easier for President Biden to advance his nominees for judicial and administrative posts. The Democrats will however face significant roadblocks in the House of Representatives, where Republicans now hold a narrow majority.  






 
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