Raphael Warnock vs. Herschel Walker: How Today's Georgia Runoff Election Could Impact You

Mar. 15, 2025

Raphael Warnock, Herschel Walker.Photo: Prince Williams/Wireimage; Cindy Ord/Getty

The way the Senate currently stands gives Democrats a slight advantage. Even at a 50-50 party split, Vice PresidentKamala Harris, as Senate president, can cast a tie-breaking vote — giving her party the edge on a technicality.

But if Warnock were to win the Georgia Senate race on Tuesday, Democrats would secure a 51-49 majority over Republicans for the upcoming term, giving them more power over committees and more of a cushion if a Democratic senator sides with Republicans on a particular vote. That means they could more easily pass legislation and confirm PresidentJoe Biden’s nominees — including any future nominees to the Supreme Court.

A Warnock win would also mean that Democrats wouldn’t have to worry so much about the more centrist members of their party, like Sens.Joe ManchinandKyrsten Sinema— who haveheld upsome pieces of legislation that the Biden administration considers central to their agenda.

Sen. Raphael Warnock.Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

If Walker were to win, however, the GOP would have more opportunities for legislative victory. Were Manchin or Sinema to vote with the Republicans, for instance, the slight Democratic advantage would dissipate — a scenario that has happened in the past.

A Walker win would be noteworthy in other ways, too, as it would signal former PresidentDonald Trump’s sway over voters in Georgia, a swing state that helps determine presidential elections.

Whilemany polls had suggestedbig Republican gains ahead of Election Day last month, a red wave failed to materialize, with some critics chalking up Republican losses to Trump himself, who made a number of high-profile endorsements, including of Walker.

Ben Gray/AP Photo

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories

But neither Walker nor Warnock reached the required 50% vote threshold to win the race outright, leading the candidates to advance to the runoff on Tuesday.

The campaign marks the first foray into politics for Walker, a former football star who has been mired in controversy in recent months due to allegations that the anti-choice candidate quietlyurged two women to get abortions— claims he hasvehemently denied.

Sen. Warnock, meanwhile, has been down the runoff road before, as the same situation occurred in 2020.The reverend then won during round two in Jan. 2021. It was the first time since 2014 that Democrats gained control of the state, as 35-year-oldJon Ossoffalso won for the Democratic Party that year.

source: people.com