Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker's campaign has been marked by a series of public gaffes that made the GOP nominee the subject of criticism and some mockery.
Walker has raised eyebrows for his comments about vampires, suggesting a border wall wouldn't work, calling himself "220 pounds of twisted steel" and other remarks not typical of Senate candidates.
The most recent polls suggest he's in a very close race with Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock. The runoff election will take place on December 6 and early voting has already begun.
Here are some of the most outlandish things Walker has said on the campaign trail.
Twisted Steel and Sex Appeal
Walker spoke at a campaign event in Toccoa, Georgia on November 29 and said his football career was the result of a "blessing of God."
He went on to say: "Guys, I'm 220 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal," quoting a phrase that was originally used by American Gladiators star Malibu.
Walker is a former professional football star and Heisman Trophy winner.
Walls Don't Stop People
Building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border was a key issue in former President Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Trump has endorsed Walker in the Georgia race.
Walker expressed his support for a border wall on November 29 but also appeared skeptical that it would work.
"A wall do work," he said. "When you got a wall around your house, people don't… yeah, but they can get in. But, you know what? If they get in, it would be hard to get out because I got a dog that… well, my dog really won't bite, but he's pretty bad anyway."
Trump Has Done More for African Americans Than Obama
As early voting in the Georgia Senate runoff election got under way, Walker told the conservative network Real America's Voice that Trump had done more for the African American community than the four previous presidents combined, who include Barack Obama.
"It's sad that our media have tried to say that this president [Trump] didn't do anything for the African American community when yet he did more for the African American community than the last four presidents put together," Walker said,
"He gave a lot of opportunities to a lot of the African American community, not just to the African American community but to the whole of the United States," he said.
"This Erection Is About the People"
Walker became the subject of considerable mockery online after he misspoke during an interview on Fox News on November 22, where he was talking about the runoff election.
"Well first of all this election is more than Herschel Walker, this erection is about the people," the Republican said.
"Vampires Are Cool People"
Few of Walker's public remarks have garnered as much attention as his discussion of the move Fright Night at a campaign event on November 16, where he shared his views on the contrast between vampires and werewolves.
"I was watching this movie called Fright Night," Walker told supporters. "It was about vampires. I don't know if you know, vampires are cool people, are they not? But I want to tell you something that I found out. A werewolf can kill a vampire, did you know that? I didn't know that. So, I don't want to be a vampire anymore, I wanted to be a werewolf."
Obama highlighted those remarks while campaigning for Warnock on Thursday.
"Mr. Walker has been talking about issues that are of great importance to the people of Georgia. Like whether it is better to be a vampire or a werewolf," Obama said.
"This is a debate that I must confess I once had myself," he added. "When I was seven."
His 'Ugly' Baby and the Trump Kids' Intelligence
As the runoff campaign has continued, previous remarks made by Walker have also resurfaced and garnered significant attention.
In comments delivered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the state of Washington in 2019, Walker jokingly blamed his wife's "awful genes" for the fact his son Christian Walker was an "ugly" baby. His now adult son has strongly criticized his father.
He also made reference to Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and son Donald Jr. during those same remarks.
"I don't know if y'all know this, but I knew Donald before he became 'The Donald,' he said. "Matter of fact, little Ivanka and little Donald lived with me for a week, for five years, during the summer. Every amusement park, Disney World, Sea World—every place they went, I was the one to take them."
"I kept them for a week, so the intelligence of those two kids right there—not from Donald," Walker said.
Newsweek has reached out to Walker's campaign about his statements.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Darragh Roche is a U.S. News Reporter based in Limerick, Ireland. His focus is reporting on U.S. politics. He has ... Read more
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