Warnock Beats Walker in Georgia Senate Runoff, Giving Dems 51-49 Senate Edge

Incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock beat Republican challenger Herschel Walker in Tuesday's 2022 Georgia Senate runoff election. Democrats now hold 51 Senate seats to Republicans' 49.

Key Quotes: "Thank you, Georgia. We did it again," said Warnock on Twitter. In his concession speech, Walker told supporters that "we put up one heck of a fight."

For Context: The $401 million race was forced to a runoff after neither candidate secured 50% of the vote in the general election. Democrats would have had the vice presidential tie-breaker in a 50-50 Senate anyway, but a key advantage provided by Warnock's win is the fact that the 1-seat advantage allows the party to hold majorities on all Senate committees. That's particularly important for presidential appointments, such as lifetime judicial appointments. Walker's loss caps a disappointing 2022 election cycle for Republicans, who failed to flip any Democrat-held Senate seats. It's the first time any president has seen all incumbent senators of their party run for and win reelection since 1934.

How the Media Covered It: Warnock's win was the top story from sources across the spectrum, and news outlets' framing of the candidates differed starkly along partisan lines. Left-rated sources focused more on Walker's personal controversies, including allegations that he physically abused women and paid for an ex-lover's abortion. Right-rated outlets focused on the overall success of Walker's first political campaign more than left- and center-rated sources did.