Herschel Walker For Georgia Senator? Questions Surround Ex-NFL Star's Judgment
In an appearance Sunday on Fox News, former Dallas Cowboys and University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker was asked about plans to run for U.S. Senate.
Walker spoke with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, who specifically asked about running in 2022. The seat is held by Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. In 2021, Democrats won two senate seats in the traditional red state.
Walker, a Republican, did not provide a firm answer but said it was "serious" to even consider running for senate and that he would take his time to make a decision.
“Stay tuned. I'll tell you what: it's going to be exciting," he said.
Walker did not provide specifics about what platform he would run on. He said his priority would be "America" and that "he wanted to bring people back together."
Bartiromo also asked Walker about voter identification, a hot topic in Georgia.
The comments about a senate run come after former President Donald Trump in March encouraged Walker to run in 2022.
“Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the legendary Herschel Walker ran for the United States Senate in Georgia?” Trump said in a statement. “He would be unstoppable, just like he was when he played for the Georgia Bulldogs and in the NFL. He is also a GREAT person. Run Herschel run!”
Walker was a contestant in the second season of the reality television show "Celebrity Apprentice," which featured Trump.
He has been active in Republican politics. Walker, who has made appearances on Fox News, attended the recent Republican National Convention and publicly endorsed Kelly Loeffler in her failed reelection bid and has supported several other Republican candidates.
Walker, 59, was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) shortly after his NFL career ended and has said that he has played Russian Roulette.
He has been an advocate for mental health problems.
"I talk about it now because there are still people out there today that are suffering. There’s guys in the league [NFL] that I’ve helped so much, that I’ve saved their lives," Walker said on an ESPN program.
Walker currently lives in Texas and has no public sector experience.
Some on social media called into his question his judgment and qualifications to run for senate. It's unclear if he would face a big field of Republican candidates in a primary run.
In her introduction of Walker, Bartiromo said Walker "now owns several successful companies."
Walker entered professional football in 1983 when he joined the United States Football League, and played for a team owned by Trump. The USFL ceased operations in 1986.
Walker played his first NFL season in 1986. He played for the Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. Walker rushed for 8,225 yards and retired in 1997.
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