Two years ago, Georgia’s U.S. Senate races captivated the nation. The sequel in 2022 is doing the same.

Democrat Raphael Warnock defeated incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler in a January 2021 runoff, which helped give Democrats control of the U.S. Senate and a rare statewide win for the party. Now Warnock is set to face former University of Georgia football player Herschel Walker in a Dec. 6 runoff after neither crossed the 50% threshold needed to win the office in November. Warnock came closest with 49.4% to Walker’s 48.5%. Libertarian Chase Oliver won 2% in November but will not be in the runoff.

Polls continue to show a close race.

Warnock, who is the most prolific fundraiser in the Senate, has collected more than $166 million in campaign contributions this election cycle and has about $30 million in the bank. Walker has raised more than $57 million and has $10 million in the bank.

- Where the candidates for Georgia’s Senate seat stand on the issues

- Herschel Walker’s campaign in turmoil as adult son accuses him of violence, lying

- Georgia candidates draw battle lines ahead of November race

- Warnock’s record-breaking fundraising sends national message

- Herschel Walker’s business record reveals creditor lawsuits, exaggerated claims

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Members of Voter Review Panel confer as Fulton County's members of a recount team work on a hand recount and audit of ballots during Fulton County's Risk Limiting Audit process at Georgia World Congress Center on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

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The main entrance to a large industrial warehouse is seen from E. Hightower Trail near downtown Social Circle, Ga., on Monday, Jan. 6, 2026. The Trump administration is exploring the possibility of detaining thousands of immigrants in an industrial warehouse in Social Circle, approximately an hour east of Atlanta.  (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC