Herschel Walker supporters dismiss the GOP nominee's scandals and say they're focused on boosting Republican control of the Senate: 'We all have our issues'

• At a Saturday rally in Georgia, Herschel Walker supporters dismissed his campaign's controversies.
• Attendees were excited about the possibility of the GOP winning back control of Congress.

ATHENS, Georgia — Herschel Walker on Saturday took his campaign to the city in which he led the University of Georgia Bulldogs to a national championship in 1980 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982.

But this time Walker was on a different mission.

The Republican Senate nominee was in town — amid the legions of football fans at tailgate events at the university — to rally enthusiasm among supporters just hours before Georgia was set to play the University of Tennessee.

For supporters in the audience, many of whom sported "Run Herschel Run" paraphernalia and football attire in preparation for the game later in the day, getting Walker into the Senate in one of the nation's most competitive contests — and blocking Democrats from passing their agenda — was paramount.

Amid reports that Walker allegedly paid for the abortions of at least two women, rallygoers were largely unfazed by the developments.

Frank, a longtime Georgia fan who did not disclose his last name, told Insider that he wondered why Walker had run in the first place, given his prior success in football — but was strongly supportive of his campaign and lamented what he said were multiple attacks on Walker.

"He's tough, seems to be smart, and seems like he wants to learn more. He's already proven his football star status," Frank said. "So he just wants to make a change. We all have our issues."

Frank said it was "more than too important" for Republicans to regain control of the Senate next week.

With the chamber currently split 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris' tiebreaking vote serving to give Democrats a majority, attendees were amped up whenever the opposing party's narrow congressional majorities were brought up.

Campaign signs railing against Walker's opponent, Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, were abundant.

Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, spoke before Walker and tossed red meat to the audience, saying that Warnock "must like high gas prices," linking his support of Democratic policy items to leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

Walker during his remarks criticized Warnock, who was elected in a January 2021 runoff election, by picking apart his legislative record as an ally of President Joe Biden. He also spoke out against Democratic spending bills and against what he said was the usage of "pronouns" in the military.

"It's been two years. Y'all see what we have?" Walker asked the crowd of Warnock's short stint in office. "And to give him six more years? He's joking."

Among rallygoers, there was an overwhelming sense that Democratic governance had run amok.

Addison, a rally attendee, told Insider that it has been "a tough road" for Walker, but expressed confidence in his campaign and said she hoped that he could address the border, which she said was "wide open."

"I think he's going to pull it through," she said of the Senate nominee.

"I don't like the direction our country is going in. I believe what Herschel said up there, that there's a lot of evil forces in the world and I think God has given us an ultimatum. You turn this around or you'll suffer the consequences," she added.