The tight Senate race in Georgia will move to a runoff between Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker on Dec. 6, according to CNN.
Neither candidate cleared the 50 percent mark to win the race outright on Tuesday. Depending on the outcome of Senate races in Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada, voters in Georgia could then – for the second straight election cycle – hold a Senate majority.
That the race was so tight underscores the prevalence of ticket splits in Georgia this year. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp comfortably defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams, according to CNN, but Walker trailed Kemp overnight, while Warnock edged Abrams.
In brief remarks Tuesday night, Walker asked supporters gathered in a hotel ballroom to “hang in there a little while longer.”
“I’m telling you now — I didn’t come to lose,” Walker said.
Warnock has yet to address the crowd at his election night headquarters. But on Monday night, he joked on CNN about a potential runoff campaign.
“I think there’s bipartisan agreement that (we’d prefer) not to mix politics and Thanksgiving,” Warnock said.
Both candidates are expected to speak later Wednesday, aides said, with specific plans still in flux.
Top officials from both the Democratic and Republican parties also told CNN they plan to double down on significant investments in Georgia, with speculation growing that control of the Senate could hinge on the outcome of a potential runoff in December.
This story has been updated with additional information.
