Retired NFL star and Trump ally, Herschel Walker, released a new campaign advertisement highlighting his hometown roots and patriotic message for America. “I’m running for U.S. Senate because I love this country and I love my home state of Georgia,” said Walker.
The narration of the ad begins with Don Norton, athletic director and head football coach at Johnson County High School. Norton’s praise of Walker extends beyond his legendary football pedigree.
“To me and our kids here at Johnson County High School, he’s more of a role model and a fantastic human being,” says Norton. Norton describes Walker as someone that treats everyone with the upmost respect. “He treats everybody as if they are more important than he is,” says Norton.
Although Walker is a beloved homegrown figure, not everything is peachy in the Peach State. The digital ad comes just one day after Republican primary rival, Gary Black, Georgia’s current Agriculture Commissioner, released a statewide radio commercial critiquing Walker’s immigration policy. “Herschel Walker sides with Biden and Warnock – Herschel supports amnesty – and citizenship for illegals,” said Black.
Despite Black’s accusation, Walker’s words at Trump’s Save America rally in Perry, Georgia ring differently. “I’m a conservative because I like law and order; I’m a conservatives because I like school choice; I’m a conservative because I like border control,” said Walker.
After years of scoring touchdowns on the field in sold out stadiums, the gridiron superstar has already scored a most prized possession in the political arena, President Trump’s endorsement.
“Herschel Walker is a friend, a Patriot, and an outstanding American who is going to be a great United States Senator,” said Trump. The glowing compliments from the 45th president should act as a shield against naysayers questioning Walker as a bona fide conservative.
“He embodies ‘America First’ and the winning spirit of Georgia – Herschel is tough on crime and borders, and he will always stand in support of law enforcement, military, and our Vets,” said Trump. The official endorsement follows Walker’s announcement to run for U.S. Senate last summer.
Republicans have their sights set on defeating Democrat incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock in 2022. However, the GOP primary is shaping up to be a congested election with Walker and Black trending as the top two candidates.
With that said, the former Heisman trophy winner is a clear favorite according to Trafalgar’s latest poll. The poll shows Herschel Walker leading the way with a 70 point lead over Black who placed second with just 6.3 percent of the vote. In a hypothetical general election, CD Media/Georgia Record/Big Data polled Walker as the frontrunner with 45.9 percent of the vote and Warnock with 40.6 percent.
As the election season matures, the road to unseating Sen. Warnock will be an expensive one. According to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission, Warnock reportedly raised $9.5 million in the third quarter of this year. Walker was the closest of the Republican challengers, having raised $3.7 million during the his first five weeks of campaigning.
While this is set to be a close race, Walker is presently a clear favorite among conservative voters. In the words of Don Norton, “When you say the name, Herschel Walker, you think of Georgia.”
