NEW: AJC: “Georgia Authorities Urged to Probe Herschel Walker’s Texas Tax Break”

According to a new report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, state investigators are being urged “to probe whether Republican Senate hopeful Herschel Walker violated the law by receiving a tax break on his Texas home meant for primary residents of that state even as he runs for federal office in Georgia.”

Georgia law is clear that in order to run for office, a candidate must establish residency in the state — which is partially defined by where a person takes their homestead tax exemption and where they intend to live permanently. 

In the 5 days since the story broke, Walker has refused to answer Georgians’ questions about this latest scandal. 

The Atlanta Journal Constitution: Georgia authorities urged to probe Herschel Walker’s Texas tax break

By Greg Bluestein — November 28, 2022

Key Points: 

• State investigators are being urged to probe whether Republican Senate hopeful Herschel Walker violated the law by receiving a tax break on his Texas home meant for primary residents of that state even as he runs for federal office in Georgia.

• The complaint filed Sunday […] asked the Attorney General’s office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation to “promptly investigate this apparent violation of Georgia law” ahead of the Dec. 6 runoff against U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock.

• Tax records show the former football player is set to receive a homestead exemption worth about $1,500 for a $3 million home in the suburbs of Dallas that Walker listed as his primary residence.

• Walker’s campaign has declined requests for comment about the tax records, which were first reported by CNN. The documents show Walker has claimed the exemption since 2012.

• The records brought new scrutiny to questions Walker has faced about his residency that precede his decision to formally run for office. 

• A former Dallas Cowboys star, Walker lived in Texas for decades before registering to vote in Georgia in August 2021 shortly before he declared his candidacy.

• At the time, Walker’s main GOP rival challenged him to “move here, pay taxes here, register and vote in some elections” before running. Warnock’s allies have taken a similar line of attack, framing the Republican as an out-of-state charlatan.

• The Texas Tribune reported the homestead exemption could also run afoul of Texas state law, which allows homeowners to claim the tax break only on their “principal residence.”

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