By backing Raphael Warnock against Kelly Loeffler, Sue Bird and the WNBA helped flip the Senate – By Percy Allen (Seattle Times) / January 16 2021
Five days before WNBA players wore black T-shirts that read “VOTE WARNOCK” last summer, the Rev. Raphael Warnock was polling at 9% and fourth among 21 candidates vying for a Senate seat in Georgia.
Six months later, Warnock, a Democrat making his first foray into politics, won a runoff against incumbent Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler on Jan. 5 to become the first Black senator in Georgia.
Warnock’s victory combined with Democrat Jon Ossoff’s runoff win over Georgia incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue gave Democrats control of the Senate, in addition to their majority in the House and White House win.
“I woke up on (Jan. 6) and saw the confirmed news and was just really excited,” Storm guard Sue Bird said. “Super happy for everyone involved. Obviously, for Rev. Warnock and his campaign and those that have helped him on the ground in Georgia, people like Stacey Abrams.
“And also feeling really happy and proud for us in the WNBA that we played a small part in this. So it was a really exciting morning.”
