Photo: Getty Images
Former NFL star Herschel Walker has registered to vote in Georgia and launched a campaign to run for Senate. Walker told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he made the decision to run because our country is at a "crossroads" and "he cannot sit on the sidelines anymore."
"America is the greatest country in the world, but too many politicians in Washington are afraid to say that. 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," he said.
“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."
Walker will run as a Republican against Sen. Raphael Warnock. He has already garnered support from former President Donald Trump.
"I had dinner with him a week ago,” the former reality show host said.
“He’s a great guy. He’s a patriot. He’s a very loyal person. They love him in Georgia, I’ll tell you.”
Other members of the Republican Party have not been as supportive of Walker running for Senate. Specifically, some GOP figures have raised concerns regarding his past business dealings and allegations of domestic abuse.
“Some of it’s pretty bad, obviously: physical abuse and pulling a gun on his wife, if that’s true,” Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said.
“I want to win that race. And to the extent that he’s handicapped by some of these things that would make that unlikely, I’d prefer to have somebody else.”
Sen. John Thune of South Dakota complimented Walker by saying he has the "wow factor," but he also has many of the same concerns that Cornyn does. Thune also noted that while Walker was beloved in Georgia as a college football star, he has no political experience.
“He’s got the wow factor, the celebrity factor. But some of these issues he’s going to have to figure out how to answer," Thune said.
“As a candidate, you have to be able to respond to hard questions. And your background becomes an issue, your experience becomes an issue. Sometimes, people who have success in one area of life and translate it to politics, it’s not as easy as it looks."
Walker will have approximately 14 months to get his affairs in order and quiet these concerns before election day arrives on November 8, 2022.
Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.