According to Fox News, the Georgia Secretary-of-State’s office confirmed that the Georgia Senate election between Republican Herschel Walker and incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is heading to a runoff.

The runoff election will be held Dec. 6.

Walker, who was awarded the Heisman Trophy for his efforts in steering the University of Georgia to the college football championships four decades ago, entered the GOP race to face Warnock in the summer of 2017. He did so after receiving months of encouragement and support from former President Donald Trump, a long-time friend. This is Walker’s first attempt at running for office.

Warnock is the senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist church, where Martin Luther King Jr. once preached. He narrowly defeated Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler in 2021 special elections and was running for a full six year term.

Walker spent the last few months tying Warnock up to President Biden. He remains unpopular with Georgia voters and is blamed for both the record-breaking inflation and the increase in crime.

Walker’s legendary status in Georgia and his favorable reputation in the Peach State made him the overwhelming front-runner to the GOP Senate nomination. He also declined to participate in debates and ignored other primary contenders.

Walker was able to defeat his opponents in the May primary but he quickly became a target as the general election began.

Walker was heavily criticised both on the campaign trail as well as in ads for his “bizarre and false statements” by Democrats.

Warnock’s TV campaign launched a TV ad that highlighted Walker’s past comments that he had a dry mist that would “kill all COVIDs on your body.”

Walker was also criticized for a number of reports that suggested he exaggerated the success of both his academic and business records.

Walker faced bombshell allegations that he paid for his girlfriend’s abortion 13-years ago. Walker denied the claims. Walker was forced to defend himself against a variety of personal controversies. These included accusations of abuse and threats against his first spouse, as well as acknowledging the children he had out of wedlock. This was despite being a critic of absent fathers for many decades.

Walker was repeatedly targeted by Warnock’s campaign for his “pattern of lies and disturbing behavior, positions that prove he isn’t ready to represent Georgia in U.S. Senate.”