top of the hour here on cnn newsroom. the countdown continues to the midterms. 22 days left until election day determining who will control congress, and a new poll from the new york times shows that republicans have a slight edge here. 49% of likely voters say that they plan to back the republican candidate for their house district compared to 45% for democrats. now this poll also found it combined 44% of likely voters are most worried about the economy or inflation. now today, early voting begins in the battleground of georgia. and the race for senate there, one of the tightest in the nation, democratic incumbent raphael warnock casting his ballot you see there. there s also a new twist there in the drama engulfing his republican rival herschel walker who s been denying allegations he paid for an abortion for his ex-girlfriend years ago. well, today walker confirmed the check in question was, in fact, his, but then doubled down the denials in terms of what it was fo