ATLANTA — Herschel Walker made it official Wednesday afternoon, confirming he is running for the United State Senate as a Republican.
A day after he filed the paperwork, Walker released a splashy new campaign video confirming his run. In his statement, Walker said he was focused on the protecting the “American Dream.”
“Our country is at a crossroads, and I can’t sit on the sidelines anymore. America is the greatest country in the world, but too many politicians in Washington are afraid to say that,” Walker said in a statement. “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.
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“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.”
But before walker can take on incumbent U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, he’ll have to beat out a host of other GOP contenders in the primary
Former Navy Seal and Trump White House Intelligence Director Latham Saddler has out fundraised every other Republican senate candidate so far.
“I’m a proud native son of Georgia,” Latham said in his own ad.
Saddler says he’s ready for a spirited debate with Walker.
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“There’s no doubt Herschel is the best-known candidate in this race, but I’m the best prepared candidate in this race,” Latham said.
Walker will also have to contend with Gary Black, the state agriculture commissioner who’s popular in rural Georgia and well-liked in GOP circles.
“I think our country and our state are screaming for leadership,” Black said. “What is the record of public service? What’s your voting record? Where have you been? What have you done? And so, I welcome my classmate back, back from Texas. He’s been away a while. Georgia has changed.”
Channel 2 Action News contacted Warnock’s office for comment on this story. His office said it didn’t have one. But Georgia Democrats did.
They called Walker’s campaign a “nightmare scenario” for the Georgia Republican Party.
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