A recent ad from Gary Black, a Republican Senate candidate in Georgia, opens with a message on the screen: "Imagine what Democrats would do to Herschel Walker if he becomes the Republican nominee."

Meanwhile, a voter settles into their sofa and turns on the TV, which plays a hypothetical Democratic attack ad: "Did you know Herschel's ex-wife accused him of, quote, 'physically abusive and extremely threatening behavior?' " a voice asks. "That she desperately sought a protective order after Walker threatened to kill her?"

Black's ad is attacking Walker for his alleged violence. But the ultimate framing here is about whether he can win and how Democrats will attack him in a general election bid against Sen. Raphael Warnock. Indeed, the ad ends with a lengthy cut of NBC's Chuck Todd saying that Warnock, a Democrat, would be better off running against Walker.

It's emblematic of political calculations in multiple congressional races nationwide in which Republican candidates are accused of past violence and abuse.