*** Election Night Livewire *** Georgia Showdown between Walker and Warnock to settle balance of power in Senate

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) takes on GOP challenger Herschel Walker in the final U.S. Senate contest of the 2022 midterm elections in a runoff election on Tuesday, a contest that will settle the balance of power in the upper house of Congress.

While the Democrats, due to the reversal of the US Senate seat from Pennsylvania in November, will retain the majority no matter what – since they have the White House and Vice President Kamala Harris in the worst case for that they’re breaking any ties — holding that seat would give Democrats a clear majority and allow them to avoid striking another power-sharing deal with the GOP like they did in the last Congress. On the other hand, if Walker hands it over to the GOP, a 50-50 split Senate would force Democrats to re-write another power-sharing deal with Republicans that would tie up more controversial legislative proposals and candidates. in committee.

Walker has long faced an uphill battle as the establishment media and Democrats aggressively attacked him personally throughout the campaign, while Warnock has generally been given a pass over legitimate concerns about his background and his work in Congress over the past two years. Warnock won the seat in a special election runoff in January 2021, then beating the senator. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) — who was appointed to the post on the retirement of former Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) — allowing the Democrat to serve the remainder of Isakson’s term. This election would be for a full six-year term in the US Senate.

The run-off was forced after none of the candidates crossed a majority threshold on Election Day Nov. 8. Polling places in Georgia close at 7 p.m. ET. Follow here for results as they start to arrive.

UPDATE 7:32 PM ET:

The first two counties nearing completion suggest that at least in these two counties, Walker is topping his November percentages:

Two small counties are the first where AP estimates are nearing completion.

Washington County is Walker +2% (was Walker +1.4 last month), with a stake down 12% right now.

Brantley has become Walker +83% (was Walker +82 last month), with stake down 6% at the moment.

— Taniel (@Taniel) December 7, 2022

UPDATE 7:25 PM ET:

Here’s a look at Walker’s campaign HQ tonight:

Election night scenes from Herschel Walker as the clock strikes 7 and the polls close. pic.twitter.com/AOtLxFiONU

— Tia Mitchell, AJC Washington Correspondent (@ajconwashington) December 7, 2022

UPDATE 7:23 PM ET:

With 17% statewide now, Warnock leads Walker by just over 125,000 votes. Warnock’s 61.1% is higher than Walker’s 38.9%.

UPDATE 7:07 PM ET:

From Ashley Oliver of Breitbart News: “The Walker Campaign is hosting an election night at the College Football Hall of Fame in Midtown Atlanta. The Warnock Campaign is also hosting its event near Atlanta. A spokesman for the Walker campaign said in the background that the secretary of state’s office expects Election Day turnout to reach about 1.6 million votes, which doesn’t include not the 1.8 million anticipated voters.

UPDATE 7:14 PM ET:

A huge amount of votes has just been reported from Fulton County in the Atlanta area, propelling Warnock into the lead. Warnock’s roughly 227,000 votes significantly outrank Walker’s roughly 111,000 votes. Again, again early and votes are pouring in from across the state.

UPDATE 7:10 PM ET:

The very first results are coming in a trickle and Walker has an early lead. With just over five thousand votes, Walker is just north of 65% and Warnock, just under 2,700 votes, is just under 35%. Over a million Georgians voted on Tuesday, so it’s very, very early.

UPDATE 7 p.m. ET:

Polling places are closed in Georgia. The results are expected shortly.