Georgia’s GOP Senate primary continues to escalate with Gary Black amassing more in-state support, Walker calling in a new Super PAC to fend off “increasing scrutiny” of his candidacy, and Georgia Republicans sounding off on the Trump-tapped candidate’s turbulent past and refusal to share where he stands on the issues that matter to Georgia.
Here’s the latest on Republicans’ headaches in #GASEN:
- Gary Black to Herschel Walker: “Man up.” The three-term Agriculture Commissioner continues to ratchet up the fighting language toward Walker. “Man up, get behind a microphone, quit talking through spokespeople, and come join the United States Senate race and be accountable to the voters,” Black told conservative radio host John Fredericks, reassuring Georgians that he “isn’t going out without a fight” while claiming that the Trump-tapped candidate’s “past violence against women should disqualify him from seeking office.”
- Walker already calling in reinforcements. Herschel Walker has called in a new Super PAC — manned by a former spokesperson for failed politician Kelly Loeffler — to provide “air support,” and fend off “increasing scrutiny…of his violent and erratic behavior.” The PAC will attempt to help Walker get through the primary while the Trump-tapped candidate continues to avoid “meaningful campaign interactions” and “most questions about substantive policies.”
- GOP primary newcomer: “I know [Walker’s] for everything the Democrats are for because he said that.” Josh Clark, the newest member of the crowded Georgia GOP Senate primary, is also digging into the Trump-tapped candidate. “It’s hard to know where he stands on issues,” Clark said in a recent interview. “He’s signing autographs and taking pictures…but at the end of the day, I don’t know that voters are going to vote for a celebrity to protect America….I know he’s for everything the Democrats are for because he said that recently.”
- Republicans are divided as Gary Black amasses another 101 local endorsements and continues to compile Georgia GOP support. As the AJC reports, Black is proving he is “still a formidable contender in the race for U.S. Senate,” announcing endorsements from 101 local elected officials and county commissioners — in addition to nearly half the state’s sheriffs, dozens of state lawmakers, 2020 Senate candidate Doug Collins, and former Governor Nathan Deal. The National Journal notes that Black has an “undeniable…network of support from local Georgia officials” and that his candidacy is the “ultimate test of the ‘all politics is local’ maxim.”
- “What we’re seeing with the Herschel Walker campaign: no policy, no issues, a lot of consultants who…lose races and make more money.” Last week, 2020 Senate candidate Doug Collins bashed Walker’s campaign for having “no policy, no issues, a lot of consultants,” comparing Walker’s “closed-door” candidacy to that of failed former Senator David Perdue. Collins also noted that Walker’s team is leaning into Trump’s endorsement — “playing every angle” other than getting out on the campaign trail and talking with Georgians.
- Walker’s background “has potential to cost Georgia Republicans everything.” Gary Black’s campaign is starting to “hit back harder” against their Trump-back rival, going after Walker over allegations of “domestic abuse, including that he threatened his ex-wife’s life.” A Black spokesman told The Hill that Walker’s background “has potential to cost Georgia Republicans everything and America ceding the U.S. Senate to the Democrats again.”
Read more about the messy GOP infighting and festering primary feuds in #GASEN.
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