Raphael Warnock holds narrow lead over Herschel Walker in Georgia

Democratic Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock leads his Republican challenger Herschel Walker by a slim margin with just days to go until the Peach State’s runoff election, according to a new poll out Friday.

The CNN survey shows 52% of likely voters say they’ll back Warnock while 48% favor Walker, the former University of Georgia football star.

Both candidates have overwhelming support from members of their respective parties; however, independents break in Warnock’s favor by 25 percentage points (61% to 36%).

Warnock finished 0.9% ahead of Walker in last month’s general election, but the race was forced to a runoff after neither candidate obtained at least 50% of the vote.

The CNN poll also found that Walker is failing to peel off support from Georgia’s staunchly Democratic African-American community, with 96% of black likely voters supporting Warnock and 3% backing Walker. 

White voters are backing Walker ahead of the Dec. 6 vote at a 69% clip compared to 30% for Warnock. 

A poll released on Thursday by Emerson College and the Hill also showed Warnock in the lead, but only in front of Walker by 2 percentage points.

Earlier this week, a survey conducted by FrederickPolls, COMPETE Digital, and AMMPolitical found Warnock and Walker in a dead heat, with each candidate receiving 50% support. 

Early voting in the Peach State concludes on Friday and has shattered turnout records.

While former President Barack Obama stumped for Warnock in Atlanta on Thursday night, President Biden went the other direction on Friday, traveling to Massachusetts to take part in a phone bank for Warnock with members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union before headlining a reception for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

“I’m doing a major fundraiser up in Boston today for our next continued Senate candidate and senator,” Biden said at the White House after incorrectly saying that he was “going to Georgia” to help Warnock.