Raphael Gamaliel Warnock, born July 23, 1969, is an American pastor and politician serving as Georgia’s junior U.S. senator since 2021. A Democrat and since 2005 the senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, Warnock first gained political attention advocating for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
He announced his Senate candidacy in 2020, winning a runoff against Kelly Loeffler in January 2021. His victory, alongside Jon Ossoff‘s, shifted Senate control to the Democrats. Warnock made history as the first African American senator from Georgia and was reelected in 2022, defeating Republican Herschel Walker.
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Raphael Warnock’s Net Worth
Raphael Warnock’s net worth is approximately $800,000. While serving as senior pastor at Ebenezer, he earned an annual salary of $275,000. Interestingly, upon joining the Senate, Warnock experienced a decrease in salary to about $174,000.
His financial disclosures reveal a net worth influenced by current market values, with his largest asset being a retirement account with MMBB valued between $500,000 and $1 million. Additionally, he holds a dozen smaller investments, each ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.
Early Life
Raphael Warnock was born in Savannah, Georgia, into a large family of twelve children to parents who were Pentecostal pastors. His father, a WWII veteran, ran a car restoration business, while his mother was a former cotton picker who became a pastor.
Warnock graduated cum laude from Morehouse College in 1991 with a BA in psychology, inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. He participated in the Upward Bound program, taking early college courses through Savannah State University. He furthered his education at Union Theological Seminary, earning Master of Divinity, Master of Philosophy, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
Religious Work and Political Activism
Raphael Warnock began his ministry at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Alabama, rising to prominence for his advocacy for expanding Medicaid in Georgia. In 2001, he became senior pastor at Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore, later transitioning to Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in 2005.
His political activism includes leading a Medicaid expansion sit-in at the Georgia State Capitol and serving as chair of the New Georgia Project. A Democratic U.S. Senator from Georgia since 2021, Warnock supports expanding the Affordable Care Act, abortion rights, and gay marriage and opposes the concealed carry of firearms and the death penalty.
Personal life
Raphael Warnock, residing in Atlanta, married Oulèye Ndoye in February 2016, and they have two children. The couple divorced in 2020. During their divorce proceedings in March 2020, Ndoye accused Warnock of running over her foot, an allegation he denied and which was unsupported by medical examination according to police reports.
No charges were filed against Warnock. In 2022, Ndoye sought adjustments to their child custody and support arrangements. That same year, Savannah honored Warnock by renaming a street after him in the neighborhood where he was raised.
What does Raphael Warnock believe in?
Raphael Warnock advocates for the expansion of the Affordable Care Act and the enactment of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. He supports increasing funding for COVID-19 relief. As a strong supporter of abortion rights and gay marriage, he has received endorsements from Planned Parenthood.
Conclusion
Raphael Warnock’s life is a testament to the power of perseverance, education, and commitment to societal change. As both a pastor and a senator, he continues to impact lives and shape the narrative of America’s socio-political landscape.
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FAQs about Raphael Warnock
- When was Raphael Warnock born?
- July 23, 1969.
- Where did he serve as a pastor before entering politics?
- Raphael Warnock served as a pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
- What was one of his significant achievements in 2020?
- He became the first Black senator from Georgia.
- What is his stance on abortion?
- He identifies as a “pro-choice pastor.”
- Does he support the LGBT community?
- Yes, he supports and advocates for LGBT rights and protections.
