Abortion ruling, Trump announcement shake up Senate runoff
Senate runoff now less than three weeks away
Two big developments could have major implications for the upcoming runoff election for U.S. Senate between Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker, which is now less than three weeks away.
On Tuesday, a Fulton County superior court judge enjoined Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, which was passed and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2019. The state immediately filed to appeal the ruling.
Later that evening, former President Donald Trump made the announcement that many of us were expecting: he is launching his third bid for the White House. He also gave a shout-out to Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker.
The abortion ruling puts a very controversial issue back into the spotlight. Since the reversal of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court, Democrats have tried to make abortion a central issue in competitive races all across the country.
Georgia Democrats were quick to praise Tuesday’s court ruling. Party chairwoman Nikema Williams hammered Walker’s anti-abortion beliefs:
“Perhaps more than anything, this ruling underscores the urgency of electing a U.S. Senator who will fight to protect abortion rights at the federal level. This is the one issue on which Herschel Walker has been perfectly clear where he stands: he would vote for a national abortion ban with no exceptions, even in cases of rape, incest, or even to save the life of the mother.”
State Republicans denounced the court ruling. Gov. Brian Kemp’s office issued a statement reading:
“Today’s ruling places the personal beliefs of a judge over the will of the Legislature and people of Georgia. The state has already filed a notice of appeal, and we will continue to fight for the lives of Georgia’s unborn children.”
Abortion is just one issue where the two Senate candidates have opposite stances. Warnock has campaigned on being a “pro-choice pastor,” while Walker has touted an anti-abortion platform.
Former President Trump could also be an important factor in the runoff election. Republicans had encouraged him to hold off on making his announcement so he doesn’t impact the December 6 vote.
But Trump gave a shout-out to Walker during his remarks Tuesday. “Get out and vote for Herschel,” he told the people of Georgia. “He was an incredible athlete and he’ll be an even better Senator.”
Walker, a longtime ally of the former President, has hardly mentioned Trump on the campaign trail — choosing instead to center his campaign around pocketbook issues and Joe Biden’s unpopularity.
But it will be difficult for Walker to avoid the former President and other Republicans heavyweights, with the Senate runoff essentially seen as a jumpstart to the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
As a Yankee Masshole chiefly interested in Georgia politics because of my wholly benign and harmless crush on Sen.-soon-to-be-Rep. Michelle Au, I just don't think Walker can do it. I'd love him to win, but I just don't see it happening..... Speaking of Sen. Au's impending move to the House, I'm reminded of LBJ's remark that the difference between the Senate and the House is like the difference between chicken salad and chicken s--t.