Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock attack trade during US Senate debate in Georgia According to Reuters

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker debated a range of issues from abortion and policy to personal integrity on Friday, as a Georgia’s key contest that could help determine control of the Senate has come up with a controversial televised debate.

Walker, the one-time soccer star and political novice backed by former President Donald Trump, has sought to brand the incumbent as a rubber stamp to Democratic President Joe’s agenda. Biden, which Republicans see as responsible for inflation, crime and other social ills.

“This race isn’t about me. It’s about what Raphael Warnock and Joe Biden did to you and your family,” Walker said. “I’m here to fix it.”

Warnock, pastor at a historic Atlanta church who served less than two years in the Senate, presents himself as a dedicated public servant who has worked to lower insulin prices, control gun violence and protect rights.

Their confrontation is one of the most closely watched contests in the congressional elections on November 8.

During the hour-long debate in Savannah, Walker accused Warnock of assaulting police, fueling criminals and allowing the powerful painkiller fentanyl into Georgia by failing to secure the US border.

“We’ll see again and again tonight, as we’ve seen, that my opponent has a problem with the truth. And just because he says something doesn’t mean it’s true.” Warnock replied.

“One thing I haven’t done, I’ve never pretended to be a police officer and I’ve never threatened a shootout with the police,” he added, referring to media reports that Walker perjured that worked in law enforcement and once talked about having a gunfight with the police.

Walker then showed what appeared to be a badge and was prompted by a debate moderator for using a stand.

The Republican admitted to struggling with mental health in the past and was asked if he still received treatment. “I keep getting help if I need it. But I don’t need any help. I’m doing great,” Walker said.

The race has been rocked by media reports that Walker, who has spoken out against abortion without exception, paid for an abortion in 2009 to end the pregnancy of a woman he I was dating and the person who later gave birth to one of his children. Walker has called the allegation a “blatant lie.” Reuters did not independently confirm the claim.

During the debate, Walker repeated his claim that the reports were false and reiterated his stance on abortion: “I am a Christian. I believe in life.”

Democrats hold a low majority in the Senate and House of Representatives. Control of the Senate could be decided by the outcome of races in Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Georgia was a trusted Republican state, with two Republican senators, until Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Warnock and Democrat Jon Ossoff later joined the party. claimed two state Senate seats in the upcoming January 2021 election.

Warnock dodged a question about whether he would support Biden for a second term in 2024, saying: “I haven’t spent a minute thinking about what politicians should run for in 2024. .”

Walker said he would support Trump: “Yes, I will. And let me tell you, because President Trump is my friend.”

A recent poll conducted by the University of Georgia found that Warnock leads Walker between 46% and 43% among likely voters.

Walker is known for making confusing statements on policy issues like climate change, while Warnock is an eloquent speaker who served as senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Civil rights leader Martin Luther King once preached.

Andra Gillespie, a professor of political science at Emory University in Atlanta, said the debate was too inconclusive to make a difference in the race, with Walker showing less than capturing the points of view. of the Republican Party and Warnock could not dominate the exchange.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote on November 8, the race will be decided in an election on December 6.

Each candidate pledges to accept the results of the election.