Ga. Senate runoff live updates: Warnock celebrates win, Walker admits defeat

The election was the final battle of the 2022 midterms.

Last Updated: December 27, 2022, 10:47 AM EST

Georgia's Senate runoff between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker came to a close on Tuesday, with Warnock projected by ABC News to defeat Walker, after more than a year of campaigning, multiple controversies and record-breaking turnout.

While the race didn't determine control of the Senate, it did increase Democrats' power in the chamber -- where Vice President Kamala Harris currently has to break ties -- rather than see the Republicans win a 50th seat and create procedural obstacles.

Walker, a businessman and local football legend, and Warnock, a noted reverend in Atlanta, first faced off in November's general election. But neither got 50% of the vote as required by state law, leading to Tuesday's runoff after about a week of early voting.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Dec 06, 2022, 7:51 PM EST

What changes in Senate if Warnock wins the seat

If Warnock keeps his spot in the Senate, that means a 51-seat majority for Democrats after their other wins in the midterms, which would make governing much easier than the current 50-50 split.

That includes confirming judges -- one of the few things that can be done in the Senate with a simple majority. With a Supreme Court dominated by Republican-nominated justices, Democrats have been eager to fill the lower courts with more liberal justices. A 51-seat majority could allow Democrats to move judges through the Senate confirmation process even faster, leaving them with more floor time to work on even more nominees or on other pieces of legislation they want to bring to a vote.

When it comes to legislation, Democrats would have the upper hand moving any of their legislation out of committee and to the floor for a vote with a 51-seat Senate. It would also give Democrats more breathing room when it comes to passing legislation by curtailing the influence of a single dissenting senator.

Additionally, Democrats would have a bit more security if a Supreme Court vacancy should open in the next two years.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Dec 06, 2022, 7:48 PM EST

What changes in Senate if Walker wins the seat

If Republican challenger Walker wins the Senate seat, the chamber would stay in its current power-sharing agreement.

A 50-50 split has meant Democrats can't afford a single dissenter, leaving them with little breathing room in passing legislation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has had to constantly corral his caucus, which spans from conservative Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., all the way to progressive independents like Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. That dynamic would continue should Walker win the seat.

The split also slows the process for procedures like moving judicial nominees out of committee for a full vote. Republicans can block Biden nominees in the Judiciary Committee, forcing an additional vote on the Senate floor.

Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott has alluded to that in pitching Walker to voters, saying he could help "block" the Democratic majoriry.-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Dec 06, 2022, 7:01 PM EST

Polls now closed

Polls closed at 7 p.m. ET in the Georgia Senate runoff race.

State officials said Tuesday they anticipate record turnout for a midterm runoff, with more than 1.4 million votes possibly cast on Election Day, on top of the nearly 1.9 million early votes.

Dec 06, 2022, 6:34 PM EST

When to expect results after polls close

After Georgia’s polls close at 7 p.m. ET, counties can begin reporting their vote totals, according to a Georgia secretary of state spokesperson. These numbers will most likely be early vote and absentees at first, which were able to start being tabulated at 7 a.m. on Tuesday

“Counties move through reporting Election Day totals as quickly as they can. Steady pace is typically the norm,” spokesperson Robert said.

Residents wait in line to vote early outside a polling station, Nov. 29, 2022 in Atlanta.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

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