“It’s the honor of my life to represent Georgia”: Senator Warnock’s speech fires up Georgia and National Dem leadership

CHICAGO – Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock spoke during night one of the Democratic National Convention on Monday. Early on day two of the convention during the Georgia Delegation breakfast his words were still on the minds of his fellow democrats. 

Warnock gave The Atlanta Voice a few minutes to speak about his momentous speech.

“I was deeply honored last night to have the opportunity to have the country hear from Georgia,” said Warnock, who spoke to this reporter by phone. “What I endeavored to do was stand in the moral tradition of Georgia’s native son, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Asked what he felt like immediately after the speech, Warnock said it was the “honor of his life to represent the people of Georgia.”

“That’s a sacred commitment and covenant,” he continued. “It’s not unlike my commitment as a pastor.”

Long-time Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson (2nd district) and Congressman Sanford Bishop (4th district) were on hand for the breakfast and both used the words “proud” and “sermon” when they spoke about Warnock’s speech. 

“It was right on point. He told us what we needed to hear, he told America what they needed to hear,” Bishop said of the speech. “He was able to translate what would normally be a sermon into a message.”

Johnson said, “Reverend Warnock is a gifted speaker, a motivational speaker, and a truth-teller. What is so unique about Warnock is that he speaks to all Americans regardless of their religion. I was so proud of him as one of Georgia’s senators.” 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and the event’s host, Georgia Democratic Party Chair Nikema Williams, were all complimentary of Warnock’s turn on stage that night. 

“What a great speech he gave yesterday,” Whitmer said of Warnock. The Michigan Governor was one of several politicians who took the stage during the breakfast, which took place inside the Hyatt Regency downtown. 

Pritzker, in his second term as governor, echoed a popular sentiment that if people around the country didn’t know Warnock, they did now following his speech.  

Senator Cory Booker, who was a surprise guest to the breakfast, took the stage and was immediately complimentary of Warnock as well, stating that Warnock was a strong presence in the United States Senate and a great representative for Georgia. 

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