Big bucks flowing into Georgia Senate race

Warnock raises $17M in Q2, Walker raises $6M

Warnock and Walker

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger Herschel Walker are both raising millions of dollars ahead of what is expected to be a brutal race that is likely to determine the balance of power on Capitol Hill.

Warnock, who is running for a full six-year term, brought in another $17 million between April and June, according to his campaign. He started July with over $22 million in the bank.

The Ebenezer Baptist Church pastor is in a unique situation, having to face voters once again less than two years after his upset victory in a runoff election. But at that time, he was running in a special election to serve the remainder of an unexpired term. So he must ask voters for a full six-year term this November.

Biden average approval rating (FiveThirtyEight)

Warnock is widely regarded as one of the most vulnerable Democratic Senators in the country. Republicans are hoping to capitalize on President Joe Biden’s plummeting approval ratings and growing concerns about pocketbook issues such as inflation and rising gas prices.

“Widespread concerns about the economy and inflation have helped turn the national mood decidedly dark, both on Mr. Biden and the trajectory of the nation. More than three-quarters of registered voters see the United States moving in the wrong direction, a pervasive sense of pessimism that spans every corner of the country, every age range and racial group, cities, suburbs and rural areas, as well as both political parties.”

But the Democrat’s fundraising pace indicates that he is not going down without a fight. Polling in Georgia has been scarce, but recent surveys found Warnock tied with or in some cases narrowly leading his Republican rival. Gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, like Warnock, is also putting up record fundraising hauls, but her campaign has tried to lower expectations for her supporters.

Republican nominee Herschel Walker’s campaign collected just over $6 million in the last three months, with about $7 million on hand. His sky-high name and an endorsement from former President Donald Trump powered him to an easy primary victory in May.

But since winning the Republican nomination, his campaign has had to grapple with unflattering headlines about campaign turmoil, Walker’s personal life and bizarre statements from the former UGA football star on the campaign trail — such as his recent comments about air pollution.

Herschel Walker @HerschelWalker

Honored to be running to represent every Georgian in the United States Senate. United we stand, divided we fall. 🇺🇸

National Republicans recently overhauled Walker’s campaign in an attempt to hit the reset button. He also rolled out his first general election ad this month.

His campaign is also seeking to provide direct relief to voters who are struggling to navigate rising prices. In June, a Walker-affiliated SuperPAC distributed gas vouchers to drivers at an Atlanta gas station and helped cover groceries for residents in a Southwest Georgia town. Walker’s campaign said that they were trying to provide relief from high prices caused by Biden and Warnock. But some Democratic critics suggested that the campaign was trying to bribe voters.

Warnock, for his part, has tried to steer clear of Republican attacks on rising prices. He has championed a federal gas tax holiday and has sponsored legislation that would help diabetics save money on insulin.

Democrats are clinging to a 50-50 Senate — a majority only by virtue of Vice President Kamala Harris casting tie-breaking votes. Republicans only need one seat in order for Mitch McConnell to reclaim the title of Majority Leader. But bruising primaries and risky candidates have left the national party concerned about their chances of retaking the Senate.