New analysis explains how Herschel Walker’s struggles could threaten GOP chances of winning the Senate

25 August 2022

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As midterm elections approach, a new analysis is offering an assessment of Georgia Republican candidate Herschel Walker's Senate campaign and how his struggles could ultimately impact Republicans' chances of regaining control of the Senate.

Offering a brief overview of the current poll projections, Reuters' David Morgan noted how the former NFL star and Senate hopeful is currently trailing in the polls against Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). The struggle is presumably the result of Walker's personal challenges that have been subjected to public scrutiny.

"He has been trailing Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock in most opinion polls, his campaign rocked by repeated policy gaffes and a string of controversies about his past, including allegations of domestic violence," Morgan wrote.

He also added: "Opinion polls suggest the gap between Walker and Warnock is very narrow, and some have had Walker ahead. But he is considerably less popular in surveys than other Georgia Republicans, including Governor Brian Kemp, who is up for re-election this year. That, analysts said, suggests that some Republican voters who cast ballots for Kemp could just opt not to vote for a Senate candidate -- or to back Warnock instead."

Walker, who is one of the many Senate candidates endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has also raised concerns for political analysts. Morgan explained why and offered an example.

"Analysts say Walker has made himself an easy target for political attacks, with disjointed comments on issues from COVID-19 to climate," he explained. "For instance, he attacked the recently-passed $430 billion climate and drug bill on Sunday, saying a lot of the money is 'going to trees' and asking, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 'Don't we have enough trees around here?'"

Trey Hood, a professor of political science at the University of Georgia, also noted one of the main problems Walker faces. "Every time he opens his mouth about a policy issue, it sounds like a word salad. It's very convoluted and doesn't make sense sometimes," said Hood.

However, according to Morgan, Republicans have defended Walker by blaming the media for attacking him. "The Walker campaign and local Republican Party leaders say the former sports star has been the target of unfair news coverage, insisting that his interactions with voters at campaign events have been overwhelmingly successful," he wrote.

They also believe the close poll numbers could work in Walker's favor. "Beating an incumbent senator is never easy. But Herschel is a good candidate and is he going to win," said Will Kiley, who works as Walker's campaign communications director.

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