Reverend Raphael Warnock Makes History as First Black U.S. Senator from Georgia
Reverend Raphael Warnock, U.S Senator
Reverend Raphael Gamaliel Warnock is a Senator from Georgia. He was born in Savannah, Ga., July 23, 1969; graduated Sol C. Johnson High School, Savannah, Ga., in 1987; received his B.A. in psychology from Morehouse College in 1991. He also received his Master of Divinity and Master of Philosophy and his Ph.D. for Union Theological Seminary in New York, N.Y. He later became a Baptist pastor and was most recently elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate. He was elected on January 5, 2021 and his term is set to end January 3, 2023. A special runoff election was held to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Johnny Isakson, a seat previously held by appointed Senator Kelly Loeffler. Reverend Warnock took the oath of office on January 20, 2021.
Reverend Raphael Warnock grew up in Kayton Homes public housing in Savannah. The family was short on money but rich in faith, love and humor. Reverend Warnock and his eleven brothers and sisters were taught the meaning of hard work.
Reverend Warnock’s father was a veteran, a small businessman and a preacher. He spent the week hauling old cars to the local steel yard, and on Sundays, he preached at a
local church. Reverend Warnock’s mother grew up in Waycross, where she spent summers picking tobacco and cotton, and still lives in Savannah today. She worked hard to raise Reverend Warnock and his siblings to know that they could do anything they put their minds to.
When he enrolled at Morehouse College, Reverend Warnock did not know how he would pay the full tuition. With the help of low-interest student loans and Pell Grants, Raphael graduated, earned a Ph.D. and was ordained in the ministry. Fifteen years ago, he was chosen to serve as senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the former pulpit of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was the youngest pastor selected to serve in that leadership role at the historic church.
Reverend Raphael Warnock, U.S Senator
Reverend Raphael Warnock, U.S Senator
Reverend Warnock believes his impact does not stop at the church door and has been an advocate to expand health care coverage and to ensure hardworking Georgians can make a living wage.
Photos and biography obtained via warnockforgeorgia.com as well as senate.gov