The latest example of this shift is South Dakota Senator John Thune, who is the No. On Monday, Walker will be endorsed by the No. 2 Senate Republican. Thune described Walker as a fighter, uniter and a winner in a statement to POLITICO.
Thune is the Senate GOP's first to endorse Walker. This is the latest evidence that the ex-football star has tacitly gained the party hierarchy's support. Although Minority Leader Mitch McConnell still has not given Walker his support, the Kentucky Republican told POLITICO last year that there are all indications that he will be a good candidate.
Walker's newfound support could help him secure the Republican nomination. Trump is a longtime friend of Walker who has given him his backing. Trump was invited to speak by the former president at Perry, Ga. rally last month.
Republicans in the 50-50 Senate consider Georgia's Senate contest a top priority. They want to get rid of Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock (a freshman who won his place in January's special election).
Walker has been quietly trying to win Senate Republicans over and has spoken with Thune among others. McConnell and Florida Senator Rick Scott, who is the chair of National Republican Senatorial Committee, have also been in touch with Walker. Walker will be up against a number of lesser-known Republican rivals in the primary. The committee will remain neutral in this matter.
Senior Republicans expressed concern about Walker, 59, following a July report by the Associated Press that detailed allegations from Walker's ex-wife. She claimed that Walker had once pointed a gun at her head and displayed threatening and controlling behavior towards her. This led her to seek a protective order.
It also detailed Walker's poor management of Renaissance Man Food Services, a chicken company he owns. The report detailed accusations that Walker exaggerated his financial success and over-billed expenses for another company with which he was doing business.
The reports were dismissed by the former running back as small articles that aren't going to scare us.
Walker was open about his struggle with Dissociative Identity Disorder. According to the Cleveland Clinic this mental illness affects people who have two or more distinct personalities. They control their behavior at different times.
Thune had reservations about Walker's performance in the Associated Press report. She said that Walker would have to "answer" some of the issues. According to the South Dakota Republican, Thune, who is already acquainted with Walker, said that it's not always easy for people who are successful in one area of their lives to translate that success into politics.
Walker also received endorsements by GOP Sens. Josh Hawley from Missouri, Steve Daines from Montana, Roger Marshall, Kansas, and Lindsey Graham, South Carolina.
National Republicans point out several reasons Walker is attracting attention. Walker's third quarter haul of $3.7 million was impressive. It showed that Walker has a serious financial operation that can compete with Warnock who raises large sums. They are also impressed by Walker's campaign team, which is a mix of seasoned operatives.
At a campaign rally held in Atlanta, Donald Trump bumps into Herschel Walker. John Bazemore/AP Photo
Top Republicans say that Walker will not face the same kind of brutal primary as past GOP nominees, with the majority still in play. They were encouraged by Trump's decision to end his relationship with him over a position he took that alarm party brass: The Republicans will not vote in the 2022 or 2024 elections if voter corruption is not addressed.
This is not the right message. Walker stated that everyone must vote and that we cannot look back at the past.
Graham played a crucial role in Walker's candidacy launch. He said that he had spoken to Thune about former running back before his endorsement.
Graham stated that John sees Herschel as a man who can win in a state where we can't afford to lose. If we want to regain the Senate majority.
