Democrats are extending their narrow majority in the US Senate by one vote. Against Warnock, a 53-year-old black pastor, the Republicans sent former black football star Walker into the race.
In the US state of Georgia, Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock won the second round against Republican opponent Herschel Walker. This was reported by US television channels CNN and NBC on Tuesday night (local time), based on vote counts and forecasts. President Joe Biden’s Democrats are thus expanding their slim majority in the US Senate. Less than a month after the US Congressional elections, the last Senate seat was awarded in Georgia.
Democrats had already secured 50 of the 100 Senate seats during November’s so-called midterm elections – and thus regained control of the all-important House of Congress. Because US Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also Senate President, may vote deadlocked. With Democrat Warnock in office, the party now has the 51st seat in the House — and a slightly more comfortable majority than before.
The first half of Biden’s term showed just how important a 51st Senate seat can be for Democrats. In particular, two senators from his own ranks made Biden’s life difficult and blocked several of his political projects. Above all, Democrat Joe Manchin repeatedly got in the way and thereby snubbed his own party and the president. With the 51st seat, the Democrats can no longer be held back, at least by Manchin alone.
State election law made second round necessary
Warnock and Walker ran against each other again in the second round after both candidates received just under 50 percent of the vote in their first attempt in early November. According to the federal state electoral law, a second round was therefore necessary.
The Georgia campaign drew a lot of attention. Well-known politicians from both parties intervened because of their marked importance to the power structure in the Senate. Against Warnock, a 53-year-old black pastor, the Republicans put former black football star Walker in the running. The 60-year-old has won support from Trump during the campaign but has come under fire from two women who accused Walker of pressuring them to have abortions after having affairs with him. This is also piquant because Walker came off as a strict anti-abortion opponent. He denies the accusations.
Biden did not show up in Georgia
Biden was not seen in Georgia on the campaign trail before the runoff – with his low popularity ratings, an appearance by his party friend would likely have been political ballast for Warnock. Instead, popular Democratic former President Barack Obama came to Georgia, which has a higher proportion of black voters than many other states.
Republican Walker received support from Trump again shortly before the election. However, Trump also refrained from a joint campaign appearance ahead of the runoff — and instead announced Walker at a digital event on Monday night (local time).
Trump announced three weeks ago that he would run again as a Republican presidential candidate in 2024. With his influence in the party already waning, another defeat by a candidate he supports is particularly bitter for him. In general, Democrats did unexpectedly well in congressional elections. They lost a majority in the House of Representatives, but narrower than expected.
(APA/Portal/dpa)