Former President Donald Trump wants to remind everyone that he’s the sole head of the Republican Party — and as the kingmaker, he’s set on retaking control of the U.S. Senate.
His first move: He wants former NFL star and Fox News contributor Herschel Walker in Washington, D.C.
Trump stunned critics on Wednesday by issuing a surprise statement urging Walker to run for the upcoming 2022 Senate race in Georgia.
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-G.A., was elected in a special runoff in 2020. But Warnock was only elected to finish retired Sen. Johnny Isakson’s term, which ends in Jan. 2023. Isakson retired in 2019 due to health concerns.
Former Sen. David Perdue, R-G.A., announced last month that he would not run against Warnock.
Democrats control the U.S. Senate with the most narrow of margins — a 50-50 split where the tiebreaker is controlled by Vice President Kamala Harris.
In a statement from his Save America PAC, Trump wrote that Walker would be a fantastic senator and urged him, “Run Herschel, Run!”
“Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the legendary Herschel Walker ran for the United States Senate in Georgia? He would be unstoppable, just like he was when he played for the Georgia Bulldogs, and in the NFL.”
“He is also a GREAT person. Run Herschel, run!” Trump’s statement read. Trump’s son and advisor, Donald Trump Jr., shared the statement on social media.
Now this is something I’d love to see!!!@HerschelWalker is a great American and a GA legend. pic.twitter.com/RvI83OLqUE
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 10, 2021
Walker won the Heisman Trophy in 1982 as a player for the Georgia University Bulldogs, and is widely considered one of the greatest college football players in history.
He made headlines after he graduated when he signed with the fledgling United States Football League over the NFL. He played his first three years for the now-defunct USFL New Jersey Generals, owned by Trump. He later played 12 years with various teams in the NFL and was selected twice to the Pro Bowl.
Since then, he’s become an outspoken conservative activist and was a notable Trump supporter.
“Walker would bring name recognition to the contest and could boost GOP support among black voters, who make up almost a third of the electorate in Georgia,” The New York Post wrote.
The Horn editorial team