• Former University of Georgia football star Herschel Walker running for U.S. Senate,
ATLANTA — Former University of Georgia football star Herschel Walker launched a campaign Tuesday for the U. S. Senate, bringing both his celebrity and his untested political background to one of the premier national contests on the 2022 ballot.
Mr. Walker becomes the most prominent Republican to line up against Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock in next year’s contest, ending intense speculation he’ll move from his home in Texas to Georgia to run for the office.
Mr. Walker didn’t immediately comment, though he filed paperwork Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission establishing his candidacy and recently registered to vote in Georgia. A formal announcement is expected within days.
He entered the race at the urging of former President Donald Trump, who said the one- time running back would be as “unstoppable” as a candidate as he was on the field. He also boasts skyhigh name recognition in Georgia and an outsider persona, traits he hopes will help him breeze to the GOP nomination.
But many senior Republicans worry Mr. Walker will inevitably stumble against Mr. Warnock, who has become a fundraising powerhouse and national figure since defeating GOP incumbent Kelly Loeffler in January to become the first Black U.S. senator in Georgia history.
Along with his long-standing Texas residency, Mr. Walker has a history of violent and erratic behavior, some of which he’s attributed to his struggles with mental illness. His stance on major policies, along with his ability to court grassroots voters and donors, is a mystery. He has skipped key political events most prospective contenders in Georgia attend.
Still, his flirtation with a run froze out other prominent Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, who repeatedly said he wouldn’t run until Mr. Walker ruled himself out. Mr. Trump’s support, Mr. Carter said, meant he’s essentially a lock to win the primary.
But three other contenders entered the race months ago, and they could immediately test Mr. Walker’s popularity with Republican voters — and Mr. Trump’s clout in Georgia.