Meet the Olympians Likely to Run for Congress

Herschel Walker

Universally recognized as one of the greatest college football players of all time, Herschel Walker also qualified for the 1992 Winter Olympics. Walker, a Heisman Trophy winner for the University of Georgia, represented the United States in the bobsled competition. He and teammate Brian Shimer placed seventh.

Walker devotes his time these days to enthusiastically supporting the Republican Party—and former President Donald Trump’s causes du jour in particular. It’s no secret that Trump wants Walker to run against Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock (D). Trump’s effusive support effectively paralyzed the Republican primary field, with potential candidates wary of entering the fray only to burn their political capital with the party faithful. After weeks of speculation, Walker’s MAGA-anointed campaign seems like the real McCoy. Fox News recently confirmed he began quietly reaching out to a growing number of political consultants.

But Walker faces skeptics running in an increasingly competitive state that he hasn’t called home in decades. The beloved Georgia Bulldog will have to address concerns over his struggle with mental illness (doctors in 2011 diagnosed Walker with dissociative identity disorder). Former Rep. Doug Collins—a favorite of Trump supporters—wants Walker to explain what makes him conservative. Collins told listeners of his radio show he wasn’t sure where the gridiron legend stands on gun rights and abortion. Finally comes Georgia’s new status as a swing state and concerns President Trump’s baseless accusations of election fraud will stymie Republican turnout as it did in the 2021 Senate runoffs. Can Walker navigate these challenges and win back Atlanta suburbanites that drifted away from the GOP under Trump? Only time will tell.

Patrick Houck

Patrick Houck is an avid political aficionado based out of the Washington, D.C. metro area. When not analyzing the latest news, you can find him enjoying the company of family and friends, trying out highly recommended hiking trails, or daydreaming about his next scuba diving trip.