Ebenezer Pastor Raphael Warnock Enters U.S. Senate Race

The Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

David Goldman / Associated Press file

Updated at 4:20 p.m. Thursday

The Rev. Raphael Warnock, pastor of the Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached, announced Thursday he’s running for U.S. Senate, challenging recently appointed Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler.

With his influential pulpit at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Warnock immediately brings some Democratic star power to the race — and some powerful friends.