U.S. Senate Candidate Rev. Warnock Holds Press Conference with Students

U.S. Senate candidate Rev. Raphael Warnock turned to young Americans to consolidate support in his campaign for Georgia’s upcoming Senate election. 

Warnock held a press conference with several student media outlets across Georgia on Sept.15, where he established himself as a student-driven candidate who plans to fix college students’ struggles when elected. 

Warnock’s devotion to fighting for access to quality education comes from his own personal journey as a college student. For him education has been the key to unlocking achievements.  

“As a United States Senator, I will be fighting to fully fund Pell Grants because I know the difference that a Pell Grant made in my life,” said Warnock.

Born and raised in Savannah, GA , Warnock is the 11th child out of 12 and the first college graduate in his family. He explained how he struggled with finances during his first semester at Morehouse College. He also discussed that if it were not for the Pell Grant, he would not be where he is today. 

Warnock wants to encourage low-interest student loans, fight to decrease student debt and make sure that student loans are payable. 

Wanting to use his education to make a difference in the world, Warnock attended Morehouse College in an attempt to follow in the footsteps and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including his fight for workers.

According to Warnock, essential workers should have access to essential wages and quality health care. Having a fair minimum wage and quality health care are critical concerns for young Americans and college students entering the professional world.

“I’ve been standing for health care because I do believe that is a human right, and it is something certainly the richest nation in the world can and should provide to all of its citizens,” said Warnock.

Health care reform will be Warnock’s main priority if elected. In the press conference, he addressed how the COVID-19 pandemic and its challenges have called attention to the need for healthcare for all. 

“We need our neighbors to have health care,” said Warnock. “We should have known that before the pandemic, but now that we have a deadly airborne disease, my neighbor can cough and it endangers me. I should want that person to have coverage.

“It’s an issue that I’ve been focused on all along, but I think it’s critically important as we make our way through a pandemic,” continued Warnock. “We’re going to have a lot more people than we already have with pre-existing conditions. We have to make sure people have coverage that people with pre-existing conditions can access health care.” 

Aside from healthcare, Warnock also spoke about social justice, the prison system, climate change and voting rights during the press conference. He pointed out the dangers of voter suppression in the upcoming elections. 

Warnock was recently endorsed by Fair Fight and the Voter Protection Program. He also received endorsements from former Attorney General, Eric Holder and most recently, former President, Barack Obama. 

Warnock will be on the ballot against current Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler on Nov. 3 for the Senate seat along with Democratic candidate, Matt Lieberman and Republican candidate, Rep. Doug Collins. If one candidate does not receive 50% or more of the vote, the top two candidates will compete once more in the runoff election on Jan. 5.

As a result of his past, Warnock has the ability to relate and connect to the college students on a deeper level. He understands how essential the votes of college students are and plans to represent them in his fight to win the Senate seat, flipping it blue.

“I want you to recognize the power of your vote and your voice,” said Warnock. “It is so incredibly important that you not diminish the importance of your voice.

“Young people can make a major difference in this election,” continued Warnock. “We need college students to show up and vote—to recognize that it’s not so much the candidate who’s on the ballot but that student loans are on the ballot, the cost of a college education is on the ballot, health care is on the ballot and the planet, quite frankly, is on the ballot.”