By BIll Barrow | Related Press
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Herschel Walker, who has vehemently opposed abortion rights because the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Georgia, paid for an abortion for his girlfriend in 2009, in line with a brand new report. The candidate known as the accusation a “flat-out lie” and mentioned he would sue.
The Day by day Beast spoke to the previous girlfriend, who requested that her identify not be used out of considerations for her privateness. Within the report printed late Monday, the information outlet mentioned it reviewed a receipt exhibiting her $575 fee for the process, together with a get-well card from Walker and her financial institution deposit data exhibiting the picture of a $700 private examine from Walker dated 5 days after the abortion receipt.
The lady mentioned Walker inspired her to finish the being pregnant, saying that the time wasn’t proper for a child, The Day by day Beast reported. As a candidate, Walker has characterised abortion as “a lady killing her child” and has performed up his opposition to the process within the wake of the Supreme Court docket ruling earlier this 12 months stripping a lady’s constitutional proper to entry abortion providers.
In an announcement, Walker mentioned he would file a lawsuit in opposition to The Day by day Beast on Tuesday morning.
“It is a flat-out lie — and I deny this within the strongest phrases potential,” he wrote.
Matt Fuller, the politics editor for The Day by day Beast, tweeted in response: “I can let you know we stand behind each phrase and really feel very stable in regards to the story.”
Later Monday night time, Walker appeared on Sean Hannity’s program on Fox Information, the place Walker was requested if he recalled sending a $700 examine to a girlfriend.
“Nicely, I despatched cash to lots of people,” he mentioned. “I give cash to individuals on a regular basis as a result of I’m all the time serving to individuals. I imagine in being beneficiant. God has blessed me. I wish to bless others.”
Former President Donald Trump, who inspired Walker to run for Senate, mentioned Walker was being “slandered and maligned.”
“Herschel has correctly denied the fees in opposition to him, and I've little question he's right,” Trump mentioned in an announcement.
Walker and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock are engaged in a decent contest that's key to the steadiness of energy within the U.S. Senate. The chamber is now divided 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris holding the tie-breaking vote to offer Democrats management. Warnock received the seat in a particular election runoff on Jan. 5, 2021, prevailing by 2 proportion factors over then-Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a Republican.
The allegation in opposition to Walker is the newest in a sequence of tales in regards to the soccer legend’s previous that has rocked the first-time candidate’s marketing campaign in one of the vital aggressive Senate races within the nation. Earlier this 12 months, Walker acknowledged experiences that he had three kids he had not beforehand talked about publicly.
Walker has usually boasted of his work serving to service members and veterans fighting psychological well being. But The Related Press reported in Might that numerous data confirmed he overstated his function in a for-profit program that's alleged to have preyed upon veterans and repair members whereas defrauding the federal government.
The AP additionally has reported that a assessment of public data detailed accusations that Walker repeatedly threatened his ex-wife’s life, exaggerated claims of monetary success and alarmed enterprise associates with unpredictable conduct. Walker himself has at occasions mentioned his lengthy wrestle with psychological sickness.
Republicans focused Warnock as maybe probably the most weak of the Democratic Senate incumbents. However they had been additionally skeptical about Walker’s viability as a statewide candidate, particularly by means of the spring and summer season as Walker’s previous was aired publicly. In latest months, Walker discovered his footing by attacking Warnock for backing President Joe Biden’s agenda in Washington. Biden received Georgia narrowly however has seen his approval rankings within the state fall considerably since 2020.
However Walker additionally has made abortion a problem. Through the Republican Senate major, he overtly backed a nationwide ban on abortions with no exceptions for circumstances involving rape, incest or a lady’s well being being in danger — significantly notable at a time when the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court docket precedent has been overturned and Democrats in Congress have been discussing codifying abortion rights into federal regulation.
“I’m for all times,” Walker has mentioned repeatedly as he campaigns. When requested about whether or not he’d permit for any exceptions, he has mentioned there are “no excuses” for the process.
Because the Republican nominee, Walker has generally sidestepped questions on his earlier help for a nationwide abortion ban, a tacit nod to the truth that most voters, together with many Republicans, need no less than some authorized entry to abortion. Walker as a substitute tries to show the problem in opposition to Warnock, who helps abortion rights. Walker usually says he doesn’t perceive how Warnock, a Baptist pastor, can help the process being authorized.
Campaigning in Dunwoody, an Atlanta suburb, on Monday night time, Warnock careworn his help for abortion rights.
“I've a profound reverence for all times. I've a deep and abiding respect for alternative. I imagine a affected person’s room is just too small and cramped an area for a lady, her physician and the US authorities,” he mentioned, emphasizing Walker’s help for a nationwide ban.
Warnock was dismissive when advised of The Day by day Beast story and when requested whether or not it would have an effect on the result in Georgia. “I’ll let the pundits determine,” he mentioned.
Walker’s son, Christian Walker, criticized his father in a sequence of tweets late Monday, saying his household “requested him to not run for workplace.”
“I don’t care about somebody who has a foul previous and takes accountability,” Christian Walker tweeted. “However how DARE YOU LIE and act as if you’re some ‘ethical, Christian, upright man.’ You’ve lived a lifetime of DESTROYING different peoples lives. How dare you.”
For now, Republicans in Washington are standing by Walker, with a spokesman for the Senate GOP’s marketing campaign arm dismissing The Day by day Beast story as “nonsense” rooted in desperation by Democrats.
“They and their media allies are doing what they all the time do — assault Republicans with innuendo and lies,” mentioned Chris Hartline, a high aide on the Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee.