Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, spoke to Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Thursday about the runoff and he appeared emotional as he called on people for support and donations for the Walker campaign.
In one video shared to Twitter by user Acyn, Graham said: “They have treated him like c***, his family. Stand by Herschel tonight. If you can give, give. If you know somebody that can give, ask them to do it.”
That video had been viewed more than 638,000 times as of early Friday morning.
A longer excerpt from Graham’s interview with Hannity was shared to Twitter by journalist Aaron Rupar and had been viewed more than 430,000 times.
“They’re trying to destroy Herschel to deter young men and women of color from being Republicans,” Graham told Hannity on Thursday. “If they destroy Herschel, it will deter people of color from wanting to be a conservative Republican because you just have your life ruined. We cannot let that happen. We need to have his back.”
“If Herschel wins, he’s going to inspire people all over Georgia—of color—to become Republicans and I say all over the United States. Herschel Walker is a nightmare for liberals. He’s an African American conservative. They have belittled him, they have treated him like c***,” Graham said.
The senator went on: “The conservative movement for people of color is on the ballot in Georgia. We must help people like Herschel for the benefit of our country and the future of conservatism.”
Newsweek has asked Senator Graham’s office for comment.
Walker’s campaign has been dogged by controversy, including allegations that he paid for an ex-girlfriend to have an abortion and public criticism of the candidate from his eldest son, Christian Walker.
The Republican has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump but the GOP’s performance in midterm elections has proven less successful than was widely expected, with some high-profile Trump-endorsed candidates losing their races.
The Georgia Senate race will go to a runoff on December 6 as no candidate garnered 50 percent of the vote. Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock led Walker with 49.42 percent to the Republican’s 48.52 percent with around 95 percent of votes counted.
The runoff could be potentially crucial in determining control of the Senate, though the Senate races in Nevada and Arizona have still not been called as of early Friday morning. If Democrats can win those seats, they will control the chamber.
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