Warnock, deal-maker yet party loyalist, settles into Senate

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock gives a victory speech after beating Herschel Walker in the runoff election on Dec. 6, 2022. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Newly reelected Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia is promising to use his first full term to cut deals where possible with Republicans and deliver for his home state. But he’s adding a new role: unapologetic supporter of President Joe Biden.

Warnock, who tried to avoid mention of Biden during his hard-fought campaign last year against Republican Herschel Walker, said he looks forward to supporting Biden if the president runs, as he has indicated he will, for a second term in 2024.

“I’m not going to get ahead of the president,” Warnock told The Associated Press in a wide-ranging interview Wednesday. “I think he will announce that he’s going to run and … I intend to support him.”