Herschel Walker, the Republican candidate in Georgia's Senate runoff election, appears to be headed for a tight race against Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock on Tuesday, according to recent polls.
Walker and Warnock advanced to the runoff after no candidate received more than 50 percent of support during the November midterm elections. Warnock received 49.4 percent, Walker received 48.5 percent and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver received 2.1 percent. Per Georgia law, the two candidates who received the most votes, Warnock and Walker, are now set for the runoff on December 6.
Polls point to a tight race between the two, who have spent the past few weeks rallying their bases across the swing state, as analysts predict the crucial election will likely come down to whichever candidate successfully convinces their voters to turn out to the polls.
The runoff follows a disappointing midterm for Republicans, after candidates endorsed by former President Donald Trump faltered in critical races across the country. Walker received Trump's endorsement, while former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail to support Warnock this week.
Warnock holds a narrow lead in most polls conducted of Georgia's electorate, as Democrats see strong early voting numbers in key counties that could benefit the incumbent senator.
An Emerson College poll conducted among very likely voters from November 28 to 30 found Warnock leading by 2 percentage points, receiving 51 percent of support from poll respondents compared to Walker's 49 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
Meanwhile, a Survey USA poll found Warnock with a 4 point lead among likely voters.
The poll, conducted from November 26 to 30 among 1,214 likely voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 points, found Warnock winning with 50 percent of the vote, while Walker received 46 percent support.
Other polls from CNN and AARP also found Warnock with a single-digit lead against Walker in the weeks leading up to the runoff.
Poll Finds Warnock Voters More Enthusiastic About Their Candidate
Forty-seven percent of Walker voters said their votes are only to oppose the Democratic candidate, rather than because they personally support Walker, the Survey USA poll found.
On the other hand, 76 percent of Warnock voters said they will vote because they support him, while only 22 percent said their vote is only "against Walker," according to the poll.
Although the GOP hoped to retake a Senate majority, Democratic candidates prevailed in key races in Arizona, New Hampshire, Nevada and Pennsylvania, giving them 50 seats in an election defined by issues including abortion rights, the economy and the struggle for democracy.
Democrats hope a Warnock win will boost their majority, as well as provide them some cushioning for the 2024 Senate race, which is seen as a more challenging map for their party. Republicans, meanwhile, are banking on Walker's campaign to deliver a major victory to make up for other losses.
Walker dismissed Warnock's polling lead during a November appearance on Fox News, accusing Democrats of trying to "buy" the seat due to their significant spending to help pull Warnock across the finish line.
"I don't feel that I'm down four points," he said. "Right now I feel that the race is dead even. They're trying to outspend me. I think they're spending four to one."
Newsweek reached out to the Walker and Warnock campaigns for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Andrew Stanton is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in Maine. His role is reporting on U.S. politics and social issues. ... Read more
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