Warnock on his historic Senate win, divisions in U.S. and lessons from Rep. John Lewis

Senator-elect Reverend Raphael Warnock is “very grateful” to the folks of Georgia, who he stated “despatched a robust and clear message” by handing him a win over incumbent Senator Kelly Loeffler in certainly one of two state runoff elections Tuesday. 

“They despatched an individual who grew up in public housing, certainly one of 12 youngsters in my household — I am the primary faculty graduate — that I’m serving in the US Senate in a number of days, pushes towards the grain of so many expectations,” he stated on “CBS This Morning” Wednesday.

Warnock stated he hoped “some younger individual” can be impressed by his historic victory.

The Georgia Democrat would be the first Black senator to signify his state. Incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler, an ally of President Trump, was appointed to the seat in 2019 after former Senator Johnny Isakson resigned because of well being causes.

Each Loeffler and fellow incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue have confronted accusations of insider buying and selling and profiting off of the coronavirus pandemic. Each had been cleared of any fees.

Warnock stated Loeffler had not but known as him to concede, however known as for unity — significantly in Congress — amid partisan divisions over the legitimacy of the presidential election.

“We actually can’t afford to be divided, the issues that face us as a rustic are giant,” Warnock stated. “They aren’t insurmountable however they’re insurmountable if we do not come collectively, push previous the forces of division and distraction which can be happening proper now.”

He credited a fellow Georgia Democrat, the late Rep. John Lewis, for example that ought to be adopted “on this darkish second in America.”

“Someway I really feel him and different ancestors ushering us alongside,” he stated.

As an Atlanta resident, Lewis had attended Warnock’s church — the identical one the place Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached. The reverend spoke at Lewis’ funeral there on July 30.

Throughout his tenure within the Home of Representatives Lewis was generally known as the “conscience of Congress.”

Warnock stated he had been “pondering so much” in regards to the civil rights large, who he stated may “carry folks collectively throughout racial strains, throughout partisan strains.”

“His was a sort of ethical authority that was immersed within the wrestle of a individuals who by no means misplaced hope and at all times saved the religion,” he stated.

Requested if he would proceed preaching even after his time period as a senator begins, Warnock stated he “completely” would.

“The very last thing I wish to do is spend all of my time solely speaking to politicians. I am afraid that I would by chance change into one,” he stated. “I intend to be a public servant, so I’ll keep linked to my church and bigger neighborhood.”