- Raphael Warnock, on Sunday, energized a cheery crowd at a rally held in Savannah, Georgia.
- The return of Warnock, just days before the November general elections, was celebrated by all who saw it.
- Many rallygoers mentioned Warnock’s character as the main reason they supported his campaign.
SAVANNAH, Georgia — On a warm summer-like night just two days before the general election, Sen. Raphael Warnock delivered a deeply personal address in the city where he was born and received a hero’s welcome from supporters who were exalted to support their native son.
The Democratic first-term senator is still in tight competition with Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walk, the ex-NFL player and former University of Georgia Bulldogs football star.
But in Warnock’s hometown, a historic coastal city filled with oak tree canopy dripping Spanish Moss over the streets, the senator’s life story — ascending from the Kayton Homes housing project to Morehouse College and then from becoming a prominent member of the clergy to crafting legislation in the halls of Congress — gives his followers immense pride.
Warnock, who was elected by a special runoff in January 2021 was seeking a full six year term. His character was an important part of the appeal for rally participants at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Alma Mikell, who said that she attended the Warnock event as a freshman political rally, told Insider she loved what the senator was doing for the state, particularly to help lower-income people.
Mikell claimed Warnock is working to curb homelessness, especially among the elderly, and that he was a great example of being present for those “that don’t even have a voice.”
“That’s what he stands for — helping the less fortunate,” she added, noting the high engagement of voters in the 2021 runoff elections that sent Warnock and now-Sen. Jon Ossoff to the upper chamber and eventually gave their party control of the body.
Anne Allen Westbrook — who this past May won the Democratic primary for a Savannah-anchored seat in the state House of Representatives — was at the rally with her husband Todd, and spoke highly of Warnock’s tenure in office so far.
Insider reports that Westbrook stated that “he’s done a really good job for us in these two years.” We feel he deserves a full term. He has Georgia in mind when he legislates and he is very bipartisan.”
Westbrook highlighted voting rights as a crucial issue. Warnock’s strong support of the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, which was passed by Westbrook, is not reflected in Westbrook’s assertion. Maintained upDue to strong Republican opposition, the Senate has been inactive since last year. John Lewis’ bill would reinstate provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Bill, which were effectively disregarded by Supreme Court decisions.
Westbrook answered a question about Warnock’s influence in Savannah. She said that there is “a lot pride” in his trajectory. However, she said some aspects of the race were “pretty adverse” and while Georgians loved Walker as a great football player, that doesn’t mean he has to serve in Senate.
Warnock spoke out about his respect for his hometown and his family’s influence during his remarks. However, Warnock also took umbrage at Walker’s comments. He praised Walker’s football achievements but stated that the election was being “on another field today.”
Warnock’s stay in Washington, DC coincides with President Joe Biden’s White House tenure. He narrowly flipped Georgia to Democratic in the 2020 election, defeating then-President Donald Trump by about 12,000 votes.
Warnock is the senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. He has natural ties with faith communities and pushes for student-loan relief as well as a $35 limit on insulin prices.
Warnock was a key player in the inclusion of the insulin provision in the Inflation Reduction Act. However, individuals with private insurance will not be able to see the bill. They are not subject to the capped pricingFollowing the opposition from the GOP during the legislative process.
Wayne Lakso, a rallygoer, told Insider that he believes Warnock will win this week’s election. He called him “by far” the best candidate.
He stated, referring to the high stakes of this Senate election: “We won’t get anything done if there’s Senate that’s favorable to Joe Biden.”
