Herschel Walker supporters dismiss GOP nominee’s scandals, say they’re focused on strengthening Republican control of the Senate: ‘We all have our problems’

• At a Saturday rally in Georgia, supporters of Herschel Walker dismissed his campaign’s controversies.
• Attendees were excited about the possibility of the GOP regaining control of Congress.
• Walker has repeatedly criticized his Democratic rival for what he said was an endorsement of Biden’s agenda.

ATHENS, Georgia — Herschel Walker led his campaign in the city on Saturday where he led the University of Georgia Bulldogs to a national championship in 1980 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982.

But this time Walker was on a different mission.

The Republican Senate candidate was in town — amid legions of football fans at college tailgate events — to rally fans’ enthusiasm just hours before Georgia played the University of Tennessee.

For the fans in the audience, many of whom wore “Run Herschel Run” football paraphernalia and gear in preparation for the game later in the day, bringing Walker into the Senate in one of the nation’s most competitive contests – and preventing the Democrats to pass their agenda – was paramount.

Amid reports that Walker paid for the abortions of at least two women, rally attendees were largely unimpressed with the developments.

Frank, a longtime Georgia fan who didn’t reveal his last name, told Insider he wondered why Walker ran in the first place, given his previous football success – but that strongly supported his campaign and lamented what he said were multiple attacks. on Walker.

“He’s tough, looks smart and seems like he wants to know more. He’s already proven his status as a football star,” Frank said. “So he just wants to make a change. We all have our issues.”

Frank said it was “more than too important” for Republicans to regain control of the Senate next week.

John L. Dorman / Insider

With the chamber currently split 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris’ deciding vote serving to give the Democrats a majority, attendees were amplified whenever the opposing party’s narrow congressional majorities were brought up.

Campaign signs against Walker’s opponent, Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock, were plentiful.

Florida GOP Senator Rick Scott, chairman of the Republican National Senate Committee, addressed Walker and threw red meat at the audience, saying Warnock “must like high gas prices,” tying his support for Democratic policy elements to leaders, including the Speaker of the House. Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

Walker during his remarks slammed Warnock, who was elected in the January 2021 runoff election, by singling out his legislative record as an ally of President Joe Biden. He also spoke out against Democratic spending bills and what he called the use of “pronouns” in the military.

” It’s been two years. Do you see what we have? Walker asked the crowd about Warnock’s short stint in power. “And give him six more years?” He’s joking.

Among the rally spectators, there was an overwhelming sense that Democratic governance had gone mad.

Addison, a rally attendee, told Insider the road has been “difficult” for Walker, but expressed confidence in his campaign and said she hoped he could approach the border, which she said was “wide open”.

“I think he’s going to be okay,” she said of the Senate candidate.

“I don’t like the direction our country is going. I believe what Herschel said up there, that there are a lot of evil forces in the world and I think God has given us an ultimatum. You are overthrowing the situation or you will suffer the consequences,” she added.