New recruits arrive in Herschel staff shakeup

July 12, 2022

Inside today’s Swing State Georgia:

• Herschel’s campaign stiff-arms reporters (again).

• Abrams copies Kemp (again).

• A Georgia gun maker gets scrutiny in Congress.

---

To use a football term, the coaching staff is adding some new recruits.

Days after another round of unflattering stories from inside his Senate campaign, Georgia GOP candidate Herschel Walker is moving to beef up his staff, adding some political veterans to try to calm the waters for the November election.

Your Insiders instantly recognized seasoned Georgia politico Chip Lake, who becomes Senior Advisor for Operations and Gail Gitcho, a well known communications specialist.

At the top, there was no change for Walker, as Scott Paradise remains the campaign manager.

But the press release issued bright and early on Monday morning was a laundry list of people joining Team Herschel, which clearly indicates those in power believe that a new approach with new personnel was needed.

Greg Bluestein @bluestein

Following weeks of turmoil, @HerschelWalker’s campaign announces an internal staff shakeup. Many key players are staying, other veteran Georgia and Washington hands are joining a campaign that could decide control of the Senate. #gapol #gasen

---

The internal changes come as Walker continues to hold the press corps at arm’s length - much like the stiff-arm on the Heisman Trophy that Walker won at the University of Georgia in 1982.

Walker has largely stuck to a “velvet rope” regimen of private events, tightly controlled appearances and limited-access speeches, with little chance for reporters to ask a question.

In the past week, Walker spoke at two events which completely barred media access.

The first was a Buckhead Young Republicans gathering, where one of your Insiders was informed that it was a “closed, private event.” The second was a Hall County GOP meeting at a public park in Gainesville, where organizers on Saturday booted WABE reporter Rahul Bali from a speech advertised as “open to all.”

In both cases, campaign officials said the event organizers set the protocol. But Hall County GOP officials countered that Walker’s aides dictated the no-media policy.

The attempt to shield Walker comes as most polls show a razor-thin race between Walker and Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. Democrats were ready with their own football metaphors for Herschel.

“Looks like this campaign isn’t even ready for two-hand touch football,” said Bob Trammell, a former Georgia House Democratic leader.

---

Swing State's paid subscribers receive text alerts from our reporting team. See below for how to sign up.

---

ENSLAVING YOU? So what did Herschel Walker say at the Hall County GOP meeting that his aides were so worried about keeping reporters away?