To ensure a win in Georgia’s Dec. 6 runoff election, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker should follow the lead of Gov. Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr. Kemp and Carr laudably focused on the root cause of exploding violent crime— criminal street gangs. Moreover, both identified specific anti-gang initiatives as well as future anti-gang proposals.
Walker can do the same, and more. Despite gangs generating the bulk of the most serious crime across the nation, no federal statute specifically targets gangs for prosecuting. By promising to introduce a federal anti-gang prosecution law if elected, Walker has the potential to demonstrate vision on a priority that clearly resonates with Georgia’s electorate.
Promising a specific legislative solution to the gang crime crisis would distinguish Walker from incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock. Tellingly, there is no mention of rising violent crime or gangs in Warnock’s campaign website. The painfully pointless platitudes purveyed on Warnock’s webpage instead illustrate Warnock’s clear devotion to the sort of soft-on-crime, mass de-incarceration policies that gangs have capitalized on to create near anarchy in countless communities across Georgia and the U.S.
Walker authoring a federal anti-gang law would do more than expose Warnock, by comparison, as an empty suit when it comes to public safety. It would also bring Walker in line with policy priorities of key Georgia Republicans. Kemp and Carr have won two statewide elections by making the fight against gangs a major priority. Plus, a host of powerful and influential Georgia Republicans have been involved in upgrading Georgia’s Street Gang Act over the years. Pushing a federal gang prosecution law could align Walker with these important figures.
Warnock and his supporters frequently malign Walker on issues of character and alleged threats of violence. Could there be a greater political character deficit than Warnock sitting idly by while gangs commit scores of homicides and other violence daily? Walker committing to spearhead Congressional passage of a federal anti-gang prosecution act would provide more depth to Walker’s candidacy, put Warnock on the defensive, and bring Walker into line with victorious Georgia Republicans.
The clock is counting down for Walker to crack open this winning playbook.
Phil Kent is the CEO and Publisher of InsiderAdvantage Georgia and James magazine.
