Georgia senate candidates prepare for first debate

(L) Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), (R) Herschel Walker

After months of debating about debates, U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and Republican Candidate Herschel Walker are set to face off in Savannah on Friday.

This is their first and likely only debate before Election Day.

Libertarian challenger Chase Oliver has not been invited and plans on protesting here before the Savannah debate.

There is another U.S. Senate debate scheduled for Sunday at the Atlanta Press Club.

Warnock and Oliver have agreed to that one while Walker has not committed.

WABE Politics reporter Sam Gringlas joined “All Things Considered” to talk about what he’ll be looking for in the Friday debate.

Gringlas says it’s one of the most hotly contested races in the country and Republicans see the race as a top prospect in their effort to retake the Senate.

But Walker’s campaign has spurred controversy from the start and recently, he’s faced scrutiny for reports–of which he denies–that he paid for an ex-girlfriend’s abortion, despite his vocal opposition to the procedure.

Warnock is fighting for a full Senate term after a narrow victory in 2021 but he’s facing headwinds with President Biden’s low approval ratings and inflation still high.