Warnock wins Georgia runoff, D

Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock
Image sourced via Twitter @ReverendWarnock

Warnock wins Georgia runoff, Dems closer to Senate control

For now, control of the Senate is hanging in the balance – with Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican David Perdue’s results yet to be determined

Warnock wins Georgia runoff, D

Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock
Image sourced via Twitter @ReverendWarnock

Democrat Raphael Warnock has managed to clinch victory in the Georgia Senate race, which means now the party’s plans to take control of the chamber could soon be a reality. That’s only if fellow Democrat Jon Ossoff wins his runoff race against Republican David Perdue, who wants to retain his seat.

For now, an Ossoff win is too close to call and if he does, this would mean a 50-50 split between both parties. However, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would have the power to break ties for Democrats.

Ossoff’s campaign manager Ellen Foster said in a statement on Wednesday, 6 January 2021, that she expected him to also win.

“The outstanding vote is squarely in parts of the state where Jon’s performance has been dominant,” she said.

US Senate race: Warnock promises to ‘work for Georgia’

Warnock is now the first Georgia Democrat elected to the Senate in 20 years and the first black Senator in the state. The 51-year-old is a senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. He was running against Republican Kelly Loeffler, a vocal supporter of outgoing president Donald Trump who has even entertained his claims of electoral fraud, after he lost to Joe Biden.

Loeffler was appointed to the Senate by Republican Govenor Brian Kemp in late 2019 to replace Johnny Isakson, who had resigned.

Giving his victory speech, Warnock thanked the people of Georgia and spoke of his childhood.

“I am so honored by the faith that you have shown in me, and I promise you this: I am going to the Senate to work for Georgia, all of Georgia, no matter who you cast your vote for in this election,” he said.

“In this moment in American history, Washington has a choice to make, we all have a choice to make. Will we continue to divide, distract and dishonor one another or will we love our neighbors as we love ourselves?,” Warnock asked.

He also spoke about the state and country’s battle against the coronavirus, saying the pandemic can be defeated with science and common sense.

“I know we can rebuild a fairer economy by respecting the dignity of work and the workers who do it. An economy that honors those whom we now call essential workers by paying them an essential wage, providing them essential benefits,” he said.