Warnock campaigns in Thomasville as election draws near

Nov. 8—THOMASVILLE- Incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock made one last blitz to the South Georgia area on Wednesday, stopping in Thomasville to tout his record and encourage his constituents to vote.

Warnock is currently running against newcomer Herschel Walker in a highly contentious and close race for Senator, with Warnock narrowly leading.

Welcoming Warnock to Thomasville, Councilwoman Wanda Warren had the crowd chanting "Warnock," while reminding them of the huge impact voting had, flipping the state blue almost two years ago.

"Let's keep this state blue," she said. "It's going to take every one of you and everyone you know, so he can continue taking care of us."

With a rousing round of applause, Warnock entered the rose garden and took to the pergola, recounting how his last visit was on the heels of his first campaign, where he won.

"I thought I would come back," he said. "Good things happen when you drop by Thomasville, Ga. and I have a feeling we are getting ready to win again."

Warnock thanked everyone who previously voted for him and said he was honored to work at the federal level, where he can provide resources that can be deployed at both the state and local level.

"I'm glad that I was able to secure $1.2 million for Thomasville for water and infrastructure, and I'm going to keep fighting for you," he said. "There's more where that came from, just give me six more years."

Warnock spoke on how inspiring it was to see the crowd and the love shown, as he grew up in the projects in Savannah, Ga. and was one of 12 children.

"I had a loving community who poured into me and showed me I could go somewhere and was God's beloved," he shared. "Each of us has something to offer. My parents were short on money, but long on love and faith."

Warnock explained that the lessons he learned growing up in public housing taught him how to fight for the ordinary person.

"That's the lens I do my work through every single day," he said.

Warnock reminisced on how he wanted to follow in Martin Luther King Jr.'s footsteps and attend Morehouse College, but his parents didn't have the money.

"Somebody gave me some Pell Grants," he said. "Somebody gave me some loan interest rate students loans, and what you get from that is a United States Senator who understands that good public policy helps people make the best of their own lives. It's not a handout it's a hand up."

Warnock referenced the struggle being similar to a ladder.

"You have to lower the ladder enough for someone to be able to jump on," he said.

Warnock shared other policies he has helped put in place that give individuals a hand up such as, capping the price of Insulin to those on Medicare and capping the cost of prescriptions for senior adults.

Warnock then asked the crowd to send him back to Washington, as he understands the needs of ordinary people.

"It takes competence and character to be an effective representative for the people of Georgia, and the people of Georgia deserve that," he said. "Know that it is the honor of my life to represent you in the Senate and I see this work as an extension of my ministry."

He concluded by encouraging everyone to vote early and to take their friends, reminding them reproductive rights and the future is on the line this upcoming election.