Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, who withdrew early from the presidential race, will seek the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Republican Senator John Warner, reports Larry O'Dell for the Associated Press:
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, once considered a potential candidate for president, announced Thursday he will run for the U.S. Senate next year.
Mark Warner, 52, ended speculation about his political future in a video e-mailed to supporters and media. The Democrat said he hopes to replace Republican Sen. John Warner, no relation, who is retiring from Congress after 30 years.
Read the full story at the above link. This gives the Democrats a real chance at the seat - Warner is polling 20 points ahead of both Republicans who have expressed intent to run, former Governor Jim Gilmore and Rep. Tom Davis. There is no other Democrat prominently mentioned as a possible candidate.
This does, however, eliminate Warner as a potential Vice Presidential pick for the Democrats. After their July convention, taking him off the ballot for Senate would amount to conceding the seat.
Expect calls for Rep. Eric Cantor, a more reliable conservative and far better campaigner than either Gilmore or Davis, to enter the race to increase dramatically.
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Filed under:
2008 Senate races, Democrats, Virginia
Tags: campaign, Democrat, Senate, Virginia, Warner
