Warnock victory speech: ‘The people have spoken’
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 06: Georgia Democratic Senate candidate U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) speaks during an election night watch party at the Marriott Marquis on December 6, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Sen. Warnock has tonight defeated his Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a runoff election. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Sen. Raphael Warnock addressed an ecstatic crowd after his projected victory over GOP challenger Herschel Walker, thanking Georgia’s voters, his supporters and his family in a triumphant speech.
“After a hard-fought campaign, or should I say campaigns, it is my honor to utter the four most powerful words ever spoken in a democracy,” Warnock said. “The people have spoken.”
At times, the delivery from the reverend took on an almost sermon-like tenor.
“I often say that a vote is a kind of prayer, for the world we desire for ourselves and for our children,” he said. “Voting is faith put into action. And Georgia, you have been praying with your lips and your legs, with your hands and your feet, your heads and your hearts. You have put in the hard work, and here we are standing together.”
— Kevin Breuninger
Herschel Walker concedes: ‘We put up one heck of a fight’
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 06: Georgia Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker delivers his concession speech as his wife Julie Blanchard and former football player Doug Flutie look on during an election night event at the College Football Hall of Fame on December 6, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Tonight Walker lost his runoff election to incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA). (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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Republican Senate hopeful Herschel Walker has conceded the runoff election in Georgia to Sen. Raphael Warnock, after networks, including NBC, called the race for Warnock.
“There are no excuses in life, and I’m not going to make any excuses now,” Walker told a somber crowd gathered for an election night party in Atlanta. “We put up one heck of a fight.”
Walker did not congratulate his opponent, nor did he mention any other politicians. He thanked his wife, Julie, and his campaign staff.
“You cannot blame anyone because I want you to continue to believe in this country, believe in our elected officials and most of all, stay together,” he said.
“God is good. He is a good god. All the time, he is a good god. So I want to say, I am never going to stop fighting for Georgia,” said Walker, who was a resident of Texas until he launched his campaign in Georgia.
Walker spoke for approximately three minutes.
— Christina Wilkie
Sen. Raphael Warnock beats Trump pick Herschel Walker, NBC News projects
NORCROSS, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 06: Georgia Democratic Senate candidate U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) speaks to supporters during a pre-canvassing event December 6, 2022 in Norcross, Georgia. Sen. Warnock is competing in a runoff election being held today against his Republican challenger Herschel Walker. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Sen. Raphael Warnock is projected to beat Republican challenger Herschel Walker in the state’s runoff election to win a full six-year term in the Senate, according to NBC News.
Warnock’s victory over Walker will give Democrats a 51-49 majority in the Senate, a potentially crucial boost that caps much-better-than-expected midterm elections for the party in control of the White House.
It also marks a major loss for former President Donald Trump, who had championed Walker and campaigned for him. Trump was already under fire from some Republicans after many of his handpicked candidates underperformed in key midterm races, helping Democrats keep majority control of the upper chamber of Congress.
— Kevin Breuninger
‘We’re going to win Georgia,’ predicts Biden
U.S. President Joe Biden arrives aboard Air Force One at Joint Base…
Read More: Sen. Raphael Warnock’s win gives Democrats more leverage in Congress