Week ahead of primary, Herschel Walker says he’s ready to debate Raphael Warnock

MACON, Ga. — Primary day is less than a week away and Channel 2 Action News heard from candidates on both sides running for US Senate.

Republican Herschel Walker held a rally in Macon on Wednesday — his first announced rally in months.

Walker was greeted by a standing ovation as he walked into the auditorium at Macon’s Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Before he went in, he stopped to talk one on one with Channel 2′s Richard Elliot about his campaign and the primary next week.

“I think that’s the one thing I want people to know, that Herschel Walker is more than just a football player. I’ve done a lot more things than just play football and that I care,” Walker said.

Walker’s chief GOP rival is State Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black trails considerably in the polls. He said he’s tried to debate Walker for months, but to no avail.

“I’ve been simply saying to Republicans, it’s time to have this conversation on this side of May 24. People are just shocked. ‘Oh my,’ is much better than ‘Oh no,’ in June,” Black said.

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Walker told Elliot that he was so ahead in the polls, he saw no need to debate fellow Republicans, but he insisted, he is ready to debate his Democratic opponent, Sen. Raphael Warnock.

“I said, ‘Guys, right now, I’m ready for Senator Warnock. When he’s ready to debate, he (can) call the time, he (can) make the place, I’m ready to go,’” Walker said.

Elliot spoke with Warnock earlier in the day. He’s running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

He told Elliot he didn’t want to comment on who his opponent may be in November.

“Oh, I’ll let them take care of their problems. I’m focused on the people and problems of Georgia,” Warnock said.

Warnock’s campaign said it couldn’t respond to Walker’s debate challenge until after the primary and they find out who their GOP opponent will be.

Elliot attempted Wednesday to contact the two other GOP candidates for US Senate, Latham Saddler and Kelvin King.

“Herschel Walker has hid in his Biden basement until the last 30 seconds of the game. A candidate who can’t face his fellow Republicans - or show voters respect by giving them answers - can’t beat Raphael Warnock at a time when our country is on the line. Georgians concerned about inflation, gas prices, illegal immigration and the rise of China need an America First leader who can win. I’m the only one who can,” Saddler said in a statement.

King has not responded to request for comment as of Thursday morning.

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