by WHITLEY CLIFTON
A fundraising campaign event welcoming U.S. Senate Republican Candidate Herschel Walker to Emanuel County took place Thursday, August 18. The event was held at The Barn on Grande Creek Road in Swainsboro from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. and began with a private reception that was followed by a 12 p.m. BBQ lunch catered by Boneyard BBQ. Eventgoers also enjoyed Herschel Walker campaign cookies with “Run Herschel Run” inscribed in icing furnished by the Emanuel County Republican Party. During the campaign fundraiser rally, Walker spoke with locals on his on-going campaign leading up to the November 2022 elections and his vision for Georgia, if elected to serve as a United States Senator. Walker was welcomed by many local individuals and officials, including Emanuel County Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer. Johnson County Sheriff Greg Rowland was also present for Thursday’s event and attended an additional Walker for Senate event the next day.
The following day, Friday, August 19, Walker appeared for a Women for Herschel women’s listening session just one county over in Johnson County, where Walker is a native and former resident. The event began at 11:30 a.m. at the Country Club located on Golf Club Road in Wrightsville with a Chick-fil-A lunch. Following lunch, Matt Hatchett, Georgia State Republican Representative for District 150, took the podium and led in the pledge of allegiance before briefly speaking on Walker’s behalf as well as the upcoming elections. He then welcomed Herschel’s sister, Sharon King, who gave invocation and shared a few words about her brother from a personal standpoint before Herschel took the stage. Walker spoke to the audience on the importance of voting for the right candidate to best serve the needs of Georgia in the U.S. Senate in the upcoming elections as well as his position on various topics. He then called his wife, Julie Blanchard, to speak to the audience. She addressed the purpose of the Women’s retreat held that day, that being to address issues faced by Georgia residents with a focal point on the ripple effects women experience as a result. Herschel then entertained forum questions presented by Wrightsville Mayor Janibeth Outlaw and Julie before welcoming questions and comments from individuals in attendance. Some of the topics of discussion included child and general safety of Georgia residents, crime retaliation, defunding of law enforcement, public reformation, inflation, faith, tradition, and needed changes to restore the country at a state-level. Herschel, Julia, and Mayor Outlaw then participated in a small press conference held outside the country club setting that was followed by an indoor photo opportunity session with the republican candidate.
Present for both events were Chairwoman Lisa Parham and members JoAnn Trammell and Margaret Sweet of the Emanuel County Republican Party. Parham and Jonathan White, who was also present at both events last week, serve as regional field directors for the Herschel Walker for Senate Campaign, representing Congressional Districts 1 and 12. Dr. Mason with Solomon’s Temple also attended both events.
Photo credit: WANDA SCARBORO, LISA PARHAM AND WHITLEY CLIFTON
