Georgia Senate runoff finally ends with a Warnock win

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock has defeated his opponent Herschel Walker (R) in the Georgia Senate runoff.

The Associated Press called the race at 10:26 p.m. EST when Warnock surpassed over 1.6 million votes.

The results now increase breathing room with their slim (and now official) Senate majority when it comes to passing legislation and bills. In addition to that, it may indicate that Democrats are finally making strides at building up the party within the state. 

The close campaign saw both parties use their most popular assets to get out the vote. Mere days before the election began, former President Barack Obama flew to Georgia to help campaign and fundraise with Warnock. Likewise, former President Donald Trump did the same with Walker months leading up to the election. 

Warnock won the seat in a 2020 special election that pitted him against Republican Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed to the seat after Sen. Johnny Isakson (R) retired. That race also went to a runoff, where Warnock narrowly came out ahead of Loeffler.

Meanwhile, Walker has been the subject of a great deal of controversy throughout his campaign. Blatant lying about his companies, the amount of children he has and whether or not he allegedly paying for abortions while campaigning as a staunch anti-abortion candidate are just a few of the dilemmas the former football player found himself centered in. 

Of note, many voters chose to avoid enduring rainstorms and long queues throughout the state; about 1.8 million residents had cast their votes early by mail-in ballots. Despite the unfavorable circumstances for in-person voters, they still came out to vote, seeing this Senate race as an especially important one. 

Speaking with reporters from CNN, one voter claimed, “Our choices that we make today will determine a lot that goes on in the next 10 to 20 years,” said Demarco Hill, adding he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to vote whether there is rain, snow or sleet.