Warnock expands lead over Walker in Georgia bid for Senate, but race remains tight: Poll

The Georgia Senate race between Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Herschel Walker is still neck and neck in the polls despite recent allegations that the Republican candidate paid for a woman to have an abortion in 2009.

Forty-six percent of Georgia voters say they’re likely to vote for Warnock compared to just 43% who said the same for Walker, according to a new poll from the University of Georgia and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Although the numbers show a slight advantage for the Democratic incumbent, Warnock’s lead is still within the poll’s margin of error, meaning the race could be forced into a runoff in November.

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The survey ended just one day after it was first reported that Walker allegedly paid for an ex-girlfriend to have an abortion while they were dating in 2009. Walker has denied the reports and rejected knowing the woman despite her claiming she is the mother of one of his three sons he previously acknowledged having out of wedlock.

The most recent numbers showed Warnock increasing his lead over Walker. A similar poll from the university in mid-September showed Walker leading the Democratic incumbent 46%-44%. If the updated polling indicates a trend of support toward Warnock, it could spell trouble for Republicans because the Georgia race could determine which party gains control of the Senate in November.

Support for Warnock grew in certain demographics compared to previous polling, with the Democratic incumbent increasing his support among women by 8.6 percentage points, 11.8 among black voters, and 6.9 among independents, according to the poll. However, white voters and those without a college degree maintained a significant preference for Walker.

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Walker has come under intense scrutiny since the reports surfaced because the Republican has campaigned as a staunch anti-abortion candidate. However, several high-profile Republicans have defended the candidate, with Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) traveling to the state to campaign with Walker earlier this week.

The University of Georgia poll surveyed 1,030 likely voters in Georgia between Sept. 25 to Oct. 4.