​Warnock-Walker clashes in the Georgia Senate debate on economics, crime and the answer to one’s personal past

Under the television lights on Friday night and in a close political battle, Georgia’s Senate candidates debated for the first and probably only time.

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and former soccer star and Republican nominee Herschel Walker met Friday in Savannah, Ga., just three days before the early in-person vote begins.

The contestants fought over economics and abortion, and Herschel Walker was reprimanded by one of the presenters for using what she described as a “prop.”

Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock speaks to supporters during his campaign tour October 8, 2022 in Columbus, Georgia. Warnock is running against Republican candidate Herschel Walker.

Megan Varner/Getty Images

It was the first time Walker took the debate stage after skipping debates during the GOP primary and follows allegations, first reported by the Daily Beast, that he paid the cost of a woman’s abortion more than a decade ago have paid. Subsequent reports identified the woman as the mother of one of Walker’s children. ABC News has not independently confirmed the report.

Walker has denied ever paying for an abortion and, in an interview with ABC News’ Linsey Davis, said he knew the identity of the woman making the claims, though he claims she is lying.

He doubled down on that response on the debate stage tonight, even though his position on abortion has shifted from the campaign trail.

After previously saying he supports an outright ban on abortion with no exceptions, Walker said Friday he supports Georgia’s Heartbeat law, which allows exceptions, including rape and incest, if a police report is filed.

“I support the Heartbeat Act of Georgia because it’s the law of the people … I’m a Christian, but I also represent the people of Georgia,” Walker said.

Asked if he supports any restrictions on abortion, Warnock dodged, saying he trusts women to make that choice.

“I have a deep reverence for life and a deep respect for choices.”

Georgia Republican Senator candidate Herschel Walker speaks at a campaign event October 11, 2022 in Carrollton, Georgia. Walker is running for election against Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock.

Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

The moderators of the debate questioned both candidates about the allegations made against them.

Warnock was questioned about allegations made against him by his ex-wife that his duties as a senator interfered with his parenting skills.

“I got divorced,” Warnock said. “And although that was a painful time. What came out was two amazing kids that I just spoke to before I came on stage. And my children know that I am with them and for them and that I support them.”

Walker argued that he was transparent while Warnock was not. Walker was referring to writing a book that mentioned acts of violence in his past, which he claims are a byproduct of dissociative identity disorder.

“You can get help. All you have to do is ask, and I will always, always be a mental health advocate,” Walker said.

However, Walker added, he is “fine” and ready to serve in the Senate.

“You don’t need to get treatment,” Walker said. “I continue to get help when I need help, but I don’t need help. I’m doing well.”

Warnock did not attack Walker over the recent abortion allegations. However, he said, “My opponent has a truth problem” after Walker accused him of not supporting cops.

“I never pretended to be a cop,” Warnock retorted.

The comment prompted Walker to show a badge. It wasn’t clear what the badge was.

“I work with a lot of cops,” Walker said, drawing an irritated response from the moderator.

“Mr. Walker, you know the rules tonight very well and you have a prop. That is not allowed, sir,” said the presenter.

“Well, it’s not a prop. That’s real,” Walker said, cringing, although he eventually tucked the badge away.

The candidates also answered questions on the topics.

With the economy still at the forefront of voters’ minds, Warnock dodged a question about taking responsibility for rising prices and instead touted his legislative accomplishments.

“There’s no question that people feel pain at the grocery store, at the gas pump, at the pharmacy counter,” Warnock said. “I’ve always been a advocate for ordinary, hard-working Georgia families,” he added, before discussing his work to limit insulin costs for Medicare beneficiaries.

“He should tell the people of Georgia why he thinks they should have expensive insulin,” Warnock said of Walker.

Trying to stress that food prices are still high, Walker said if you’re not eating right, insulin isn’t doing you any good.

It was a mistake Warnock exploited.

“I think we’ll hear from my opponent tonight. That it’s her fault. That the prices for insulin will be lowered. I don’t think it’s her fault. I think it’s the fault of these drug companies.”

Candidates were also asked to look ahead and say whether they would support a potential Biden or Trump run in 2024, to which they took very different approaches in answering.

Warnock, who has tried to distance himself from Biden on the campaign trail, said he wasn’t thinking that far ahead.

“You ask me who will run for office at 24? The people of Georgia can decide who will be their senator in three days,” Warnock said.

On the other hand, Walker said he would support Trump’s 2024 candidacy because “he’s my friend.” Though he broke with the former president who backed him by saying Joe Biden and Senator Warnock won the 2020 election.

In the weeks leading up to the debate, Walker has attempted to downplay expectations of how he will face off against Warnock, an established speaker who serves as the senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached. Though Friday, he hailed his lack of political experience as positive.

“For those of you who are concerned about voting for me — a non-politician — I want you to reflect on the damage that politicians like Joe Biden and Raphael Warnock have done to this country,” Walker said.

Warnock spent the night laying out what he described as “profound differences” between himself and Walker and focused on the policies he had promoted and passed during his Senate tenure.

“We have almost 11 million people. And only two people can represent us in the United States Senate. Only two. And when I think about it, it’s a great responsibility. One that humbles me and inspires me to work as hard as I can. I get to work for hard working families every day. And I’ve worked with Democrats and Republicans to get that work done.”

Heading into the final stages of the campaign, both candidates will come out ahead of voters in a race that could determine the balance of power in Congress.

New polls released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University show the Georgia Senate race is still close, despite recent allegations against Walker. Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock leads Walker 52% to 45%, an essentially unchanged lead from Quinnipiac’s Sept. 14 poll, in which Warnock held a 52% to 46% advantage over Walker.