Georgia Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker said on Saturday that he "never denied" the existence of children he had not publicly disclosed before, telling conservative Christians that his kids "knew the truth”.
Speaking before a friendly audience at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual “Road to Majority” conference, Mr Walker said the revelations about his children had only emboldened his campaign.
-
Former vice president Mike Pence campaigns with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp at rally in Kennesaw, Georgia, despite former president Donald Trump's support of Mr Kemp's opponent. EPA -
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene during her campaign stop in Georgia. Getty / AFP -
US Senator Raphael Warnock casts his ballot in the state's general primary at a Fulton County polling station in Atlanta, Georgia. Reuters -
Former Republican Senator David Perdue, who is hoping to take over from Brian Kemp as the Governor of Georgia, speaks at a campaign event in Covington. Reuters -
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp during a visit to a gun shop in Smyrna as he pushes for a new state law to loosen requirements to carry a handgun in public. Reuters -
Stacey Abrams addresses a Democratic Party fundraiser in Norcross, Georgia. AP -
Georgia Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker signs a soda bottle commemorating the 1980 football championship he won with the University of Georgia in Columbus. AP -
Congressman Sanford Bishop, the Democratic incumbent of 30 years, is likely to face his toughest re-election campaign in a decade, with six Republicans running in the May 24 primary in the hopes of challenging the state's senior congressman. AP -
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks during a Bikers for Trump campaign event held at the Crazy Acres Bar and Grill in Plainville, Georgia. Getty / AFP -
Mr Perdue and Ms Taylor Greene talk during a Bikers for Trump campaign event at the Crazy Acres Bar and Grill in Plainville, Georgia. Getty / AFP -
Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie spoke at a campaign event for Governor Brian Kemp on May 17, 2022 in Canton, Georgia. Getty / AFP -
Democratic congressional candidate Marcus Flowers is running for Georgia's 14th seat, which is held by Republican US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. EPA -
Carolyn Bourdeaux will face fellow Democrat Congresswoman Lucy McBath in this year's primary after district lines were redrawn. Atlanta Journal-Constitution / AP -
Ms McBath is facing one of the toughest primaries in Georgia. AP
“Well, first of all, they knew the truth. I’ve never denied any of my kids and I love them more than I love anything," he said. “And they didn’t do anything, which just makes me want to fight harder because I’m tired of people misleading the American people. I’m tired of people misleading my family.”
Mr Walker's comments came after the American news website The Daily Beast reported that the former football star has four children, including two sons and a daughter whom he had never discussed publicly.
He has repeatedly criticised absentee fathers over the years and has called on black men in particular to play an active role in the children's lives, holding up his relationship with his son, Christian, as an example.
Mr Walker, who was interviewed on stage in Nashville, Tennessee, by coalition chair Ralph Reed, said he “knew what I signed up for when I got into this and they don’t realise that”.
-
Joe Biden in Coconut Creek, Florida, in October and US President Donald Trump in Green Bay, Wisconsin. AFP -
Republicans currently hold 50 seats in the Senate and a victory in just one of the Georgia Senate runoff races will give them a majority and the ability to hamstring the agenda of President-Elect Joe Biden's agenda after he takes office on January 20. AFP -
In the lead-up to the January 5 runoff election, Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff continues to focus on early voting efforts across metro Atlanta. AFP -
A woman holds a sign during a Latino meet and greet and literature distribution rally on December 30, 2020 in Marietta, Georgia. AFP -
People cheer during a Latino meet and greet and literature distribution rally in Marietta, Georgia. AFP -
Senate candidate Jon Ossoff removes his mask before speaking at a literature distribution rally in Marietta, Georgia. AFP -
Voters were offered custom stickers and cloth face masks after participating in the final voting at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Georgia's US Senate runoff election in Atlanta, Georgia. EPA -
Trump supporter Gary White waves his flags as Republican Senator from Georgia Kelly Loeffler participates in a campaign event in Woodstock, Georgia, USA. EPA -
Republican Senator from Georgia Kelly Loeffler participates in a campaign event in Woodstock, Georgia, USA. EPA -
Democratic Georgia US Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock participate in a dual campaign event during the final week of early voting in their US Senate runoff election in Stonecrest, Georgia, USA. EPA -
Democratic Georgia US Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock participate in a dual campaign event during the final week of early voting in their US Senate runoff election in Stonecrest, Georgia, USA. EPA -
Democratic Georgia US Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock participate in a dual campaign event during the final week of early voting in their US Senate runoff election in Stonecrest, Georgia, USA. EPA -
Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock speaks to the crowd during an "It's Time to Vote" drive-in rally in Stonecrest, Georgia. AFP -
US Senator David Perdue speaks during a campaign event as he runs for re-election at the Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub, in Milton, Georgia. Reuters -
Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue high five each other as Mr Perdue takes the stage to speak during a campaign event in Milton, Georgia. AFP -
Ivanka Trump, Assistant to the President, speaks during a campaign rally for Republican Georgia Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. AP
“No weapon formed against me should ever prosper,” he said, prompting loud applause and cheers.
Mr Walker will face Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock in the November general election, with the contest helping to determine which party will control the Senate, now split 50-50, next year.
Mr Walker, who has been endorsed by top Republicans, including former president Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has faced serious allegations throughout his campaign. These include claims that he threatened his ex-wife's life and that he has lied about his background.
There have also been allegations that he dramatically inflated his record as a businessman; overstated his role in a for-profit programme that is alleged to have preyed on veterans while defrauding the government; and that he graduated at the top of his class from the University of Georgia. However, he did not graduate, as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported.
