Herschel Walker, the Republican candidate for a U.S. Senate seat, will get a tax break to keep his primary residence in Texas even though he is running for office and lives in Georgia, according to public records.
CNN first reported Wednesday that Walker will receive a Texas farm tax break for 2022, saving him about $1,500. The exemption applies only to the primary residence of Texans. Tax filings show Walker received a tax break in 2021 and 2022, even though he registered to vote in Georgia and campaigned there against Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock.
It’s unclear whether Walker will run afoul of Texas tax laws, and the Texas comptroller’s office notes that you can still get the break if you don’t establish a primary residence elsewhere, if you intend to return to your Texas home and “have left “. .” less than two years”. Additionally, the US Constitution only requires candidates for the Senate to live in the state in which they will serve when elected.
But the revelation adds fuel to Democrats’ attacks on the Republican’s motives behind his Senate nominee. The former NFL star has also been criticized for his residency, despite his campaign’s efforts to promote his Georgia roots and football career. He registered to vote in Atlanta in 2021, just days before declaring his candidacy for office after living in Texas for more than 20 years.
Since then, Walker has voted twice in Georgia. The state maintains a flexible list of requirements to run, CNN reports, meaning the main issue could be political rather than legal.
The Texas Tribune reported that farm exemptions have been a thorn in the side of several politicians in recent years. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has refunded some property taxes after claiming an exemption for a home where his daughter lived while she attended Texas A&M University.
Walker will face Warnock in a run-off on December 6 after neither candidate secured the 50% of votes needed to win the seat outright in the November 8 election.
I’m a passionate and motivated journalist with a focus on world news. My experience spans across various media outlets, including Buna Times where I serve as an author. Over the years, I have become well-versed in researching and reporting on global topics, ranging from international politics to current events.