WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Retired soccer star Herschel Walker, an ally of former President Donald Trump, filed paperwork on Tuesday to run for the U.S. Senate in Georgia, as Republicans attempt to win again one of many two seats they misplaced in January runoff elections.
Walker filed the documentation with the U.S. Federal Election Fee to hunt the Republican nomination to problem Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock within the November 2022 election.
The Atlanta Journal-Structure reported {that a} formal announcement of his candidacy was anticipated inside days.
Walker, 59, was a soccer star on the College of Georgia, profitable the 1982 Heisman Trophy because the nation’s most excellent collegiate participant, earlier than enjoying skilled soccer for the New Jersey Generals of the now-defunct USFL – a workforce that was owned by Trump – and later within the Nationwide Soccer League.
He didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Warnock, a pastor from Atlanta, and fellow Democrat Jon Ossoff received runoff elections in Georgia, giving President Joe Biden’s celebration management over the Senate.
Democrats maintain slim majorities within the Senate and the Home of Representatives, and dropping management of both subsequent 12 months could be a blow to Biden.
Trump had publicly urged Walker to run. Walker, who’s Black, had waded extra deeply into conservative politics over the previous 12 months, notably with a speech defending Trump from accusations of racism.
“I take it as a private insult that folks would suppose I’d have a 37-year friendship with a racist,” Walker advised the Republican Nationwide Conference in August 2020.
In March of this 12 months, Walker appeared by video hyperlink at an occasion through which Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota, advocated for barring transgender women and girls from collaborating in feminine sports activities.
(Reporting by Jason Lange; Enhancing by Scott Malone and Will Dunham)
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