yard signs in Maryland
 

Special Report

The 2022 Midterms

Heated Georgia Senate Race Ends in a Runoff

By

November 9, 2022

Categories

Special Report: The 2022 Midterms

Tags

Share

(LOS ANGELES) — The Georgia race for U.S. Senate, which became one of the most heated and widely followed during the 2022 campaign season, has ended in a runoff as neither Republican Herschel Walker nor incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock attained the 50% of the total votes required by state law.

According to Associated Press, both candidates’ numbers have swayed between 48% and 49%.  The two will face off again in December, Politico reports.

Warnock and Walker maintained drastically different positions on major issues throughout their campaigns. In a lengthy debate on Oct. 14 in Savannah, Ga., the candidates sparred over a myriad of topics, including election integrity and abortion.

“I support the Heartbeat Bill; that’s the bill of the people,” Walker said, referring to a state law banning most abortions.

“God gave us a choice, and I respect the right of women to make a decision,” Warnock said.

Warnock currently holds the Senate seat after winning a similar runoff race in 2021. He also serves as the senior pastor at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church (famous for being the Martin Luther King Jr.’s church), where he has worked for over 16 years. Early in his campaign, Warnock was accused of using funds to pay for a lawsuit filed against him, according to Politico. Warnock was also accused of running over his ex-wife’s foot during an argument, according to Newsweek.

He ran in a 2020 special election against then-Senator Kelly Loeffler. Warnock’s victory made him the first Black senator in Georgia’s history.  

Before his political pursuits, Herschel Walker played college football and won a Heisman Trophy in 1982. He also played in the NFL for 12 seasons. Walker’s stance against abortion has remained a key element of his campaign. However, he has been accused of paying for a former girlfriend’s abortion, according to The Daily Beast. Walker allegedly signed a “get well soon” card addressed to his former girlfriend, who underwent the procedure. 

Walker appeared on Fox News to address the allegations. “I never asked anyone to get an abortion. I never paid for an abortion. And it’s a lie,” he said. According to ABC News, a second woman came forward in November claiming that Walker pressured her into getting an abortion. Walker has denied these allegations as well. 

Georgia was a historically red state, though it voted for Joe Biden in 2020. Senate elections then flipped it blue after the victories of Warnock and fellow Senator Jon Ossoff.

The Click reached out to Walker and Warnock’s campaign managers for comment.

Special Report: The 2022 Midterms

A voter submitting their ballot.

November 20, 2022

Clean Elections USA Accused of Voter Intimidation

According to the suit filed last month, the founder of Clean Elections USA, allegedly had supporters gather at ballot boxes in Maricopa County, Arizona, with the intent to deter voters from submitting their absentee ballots.

Vote Yes for Worker's Rights yard sign

November 18, 2022

Illinois Approves Collective Bargaining Measure

Illinois voters approved constitutional Amendment 1, codifying the right to collective bargaining and prohibiting right-to-work laws in the state constitution, with more than 50 percent of voters in favor, according to The Associated Press. Known informally as the Worker’s Rights Amendment (WRA), the measure guarantees Illinois laborers the right to organize themselves, negotiate contracts, and advocate for desired wages and benefits. It further codifies the right to collective bargaining and prohibits right-to-work laws in the state constitution.

November 18, 2022

Karen Bass Wins LA Mayoral Race, Vows to Focus on Homelessness

(LOS ANGELES)  — Democratic Rep. Karen Bass has beat real estate developer Rick Caruso and is posed to become the […]

November 11, 2022

Colorado Legalizes and Decriminalizes Psychedelics

The passage of the bill is another example of Colorado voters supporting initiatives to legalize federally labeled Schedule 1 substances.

photo of democratic mayor elect Melanie Kebler

November 10, 2022

Democrat Elected Mayor of Bend, Oregon

While Oregon is a purple state, Democrats have held power as governors and city council members for years.

November 10, 2022

Michael Bennet Holds Colorado Senate Seat for Democrats

'This country is now in the position to lead the entire world in this transition we have to make over the next 25 years, and Colorado is positioned to lead the country,"  Bennet said in his victory speech.

Corner of an all glass building with a Planned Parenthood sign

November 9, 2022

California Voters Amend Constitution to Protect Right to Abortion

California amends its constitution to protect the right to choose abortion and to choose or refuse contraception.

November 9, 2022

Democrat Reelected as County Judge Overseeing Houston

After a tight race, the Nov. 8 results for the Harris County, Texas judge race are in.

November 9, 2022

Republican Ted Budd Wins NC Senate Seat After Tight Race

Despite the lack of national media coverage, the race proved to be a crucial one for control of the Senate, as Democrats faced uphill battles across the country.

November 9, 2022

Dem Rep. Josh Gottheimer Keeps Seat in NJ 5th District

In the the second match-up for Gottheimer and Pallotta, the incumbent prevailed, winning a fourth term in Congress.

November 9, 2022

Democrat Jim Harrity Wins At-Large Seat on Philly City Council

Harrity easily defeated his Republican challenger in deep blue Philadelphia.

Ilhan For Congress Sign

November 9, 2022

Minnesota Dem Ilhan Omar Keeps Her Seat in the House

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for putting your faith in me, for standing with me through one of the most difficult times for our community and our country."

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

November 9, 2022

Nancy Pelosi Retains Her San Francisco Seat, Speakership Uncertain

Nancy Pelosi defeats John Dennis in California's 11th district

November 9, 2022

Democrat Gretchen Whitmer Remains Michigan Governor

Democratic incumbent Gretchen Whitmer has retained her position as Michigan’s governor against Republican challenger Tudor Dixon as voters turned out in droves.

November 9, 2022

California Passes Prop 28, Funding Art and Music Education

Passage of Prop 28 will provide between $800 million to $1 billion annually for public school music and arts education in California.

Voting sign and stickers

November 9, 2022

Baltimore City to Approve Two-Term Limits for Mayor, Other Roles

The ballot measure means certain elected Baltimore officials, including the mayor, will be limited to two terms beginning in 2024.

November 9, 2022

Democrat-Turned-Republican Wins US House Race in New Jersey

Van Drew won a third, consecutive term over the Democratic candidate, Tim Alexander in New Jersey's 2nd District.

November 8, 2022

American Elections Not Top of Mind in Qatar

While Americans were casting their ballots, people in Qatar were more focused on the World Cup they will be hosting in a couple of weeks.

Mableton Street Sign

November 8, 2022

Atlanta Suburb Says Yes to Cityhood

The Atlanta suburb of Mableton has voted to incorporate as a town.

November 8, 2022

S.C. Sen. Tim Scott Wins a Second Full Term

South Carolina Sen.Tim Scott fended off a challenge from Krystal Matthews keeping the seat he has held since 2013.

November 8, 2022

NY Sen. Chuck Schumer Defeats Joe Pinion Winning 5th Term

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has retained his seat, defeating Republican opponent Joe Pinion by 76% to 23.6%, winning 451,526 votes with 9% of the votes counted according to The Associated Press.

Senator Marco Rubio poses for official photo.

November 8, 2022

Republican Marco Rubio Keeps His Senate Seat

Republican Senator Marco Rubio has defeated Rep. Val Demings for Florida’s Senate seat, The Click can report. Rubio has represented Florida in Congress since 2011. 

November 8, 2022

Taiwan Worries Midterms Will Affect Passage of a Crucial Security Bill

The election is especially important to Taiwan due to an expected vote on the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, a measure proposed in September, months after a senior congressional delegation visited Taiwan in April.

Republican John Dennis in San Francisco

November 6, 2022

Meet the Republican Taking on Nancy Pelosi in Her Home Turf

You may not have heard of him, but he is running to unseat the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. He is John Dennis, Republican from San Francisco.

November 6, 2022

A Czech Journalist Shares Why He Loves Covering American Politics

Daniel Anyz, a reporter for the news site Aktualne.cz, will be keeping readers in the small European country informed from Pennsylvania — and he told the Click that this time, democracy is in peril.

November 5, 2022

New York Set to Vote on $4.2 Billion in Funding for Green Projects

New Yorkers will cast their votes during Tuesday’s midterm election for a $4.2 billion bond act,  Proposition 1, which will go toward investments in clean infrastructure and environmental conservation.

November 4, 2022

Blind Persons Sue State of Alabama for Right to Vote Privately

In Alabama, blind citizens cannot vote using paper ballots without help from a sighted person. The lawsuit contends that this violates their right to vote privately and independently.