Businessman Kelvin King challenges Raphael Warnock in race for Senate

Businessman Kelvin King, the owner of a construction company in metro Atlanta, entered the race for the U.S. Senate on Monday attacking “canceled culture” as he pledged to run against Democratic incumbent Rev. Raphael Warnock as a business-minded outsider.

King is the first Republican, but will not be the last, to throw their hats in the ring to challenge Senator Warnock, the pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. Warnock won the election in a January 2021 special election runoff to complete the term of former Senator Sen. Johnny Isakson, who retired from the senate due to his health. Warnock is up for a full six-year term in 2022 and many expect a crowded race for this position.

In addition to being a businessman, King and his wife Janelle co-founded a political outreach group called Speak Georgia. Janelle is also a conservative pundit and a member of the Georgia Gang. During his press conference, King said he believes that Georgia is ground zero for the GOP push to recapture the Senate, which flipped in January with the victories of Warnock and fellow Georgia Democrat, Jon Ossoff. “Career politicians, woke corporations, and the cancel culture are all empowered while our families and small businesses are left to pay the price,” King said. “As the GOP, we have to decide right now if we are knocked down or knocked out.”

As prominent black Republicans in Georgia, King and his wife have both been rumored as future political candidates. Other Republicans joining King as possible candidates against Warnock are veteran Navy SEAL Latham Saddler, a banking executive and former White House fellow who recently filed paperwork to run. Also said to be considering a run are former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, and current U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter. Although there are several Republican who are eying the position, there are no Democratic challengers, yet, that have announced plans to run against Warnock.

Meanwhile, Warnock continues his work in Washington and in Georgia as he builds his war chest in preparation for battle against a formable opponent next year.