Mark Warner Announces Senate Run|ABC 7 News

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Mark Warner Announces Senate Run

posted 6:30 pm Thu September 13, 2007 - Richmond, VA

tags: warner • mark • senate • vote

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner ended speculation about his political future Thursday, announcing that he will run for the U.S. Senate next year.

The Democrat will seek the seat currently held by Republican Sen. John Warner, who is retiring after 30 years in office. The men are not related.

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Mark Warner made his announcement in an e-mail to supporters and the press. "Our country is at a crossroads," Warner said on the video. "We're dealing with a mismanaged war. Our stature in the world is declining. We have no national competitiveness plan, and no thoughtful approach on energy policy that would actually create jobs, make us more secure in the world, and that deals with the threat of climate change."

He continued: "I've decided the way I can contribute most to getting our country back on the right track is to serve in the U.S. Senate."

Warner ended his four-year term as governor with high approval ratings in January 2006. Unable to seek re-election because of Virginia's unique ban on consecutive terms for governors, Warner turned his attention to a possible presidential bid but ultimately decided not to run.

He could have sought a second term as governor after a four-year hiatus - a move favored by some Warner supporters - but decided on a second Senate race instead. He unsuccessfully challenged John Warner in 1996.

A competitive race is expected in 2008. Rep. Tom Davis and former Gov. Jim Gilmore are potential Republican contenders for the seat.

Warner is among a few prominent Democrats whom party officials have been recruiting for Senate races. Others are former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen and former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey, who have not yet announced their plans.

Just minutes after Warner proclaimed himself a candidate, Republicans launched a Web site attacking him.

The National Republican Senate Committee's new Web site is DontMarkWarner.com. It features a video that featuring a 2001 gubernatorial ad in which Warner says he won't raise taxes. The video then elaborates on a $1.4 billion tax increase Warner approved in 2004.

Warner says he expected the attacks, just not immediately after his announcement Thursday. Warner calls the attacks "classic Washington."

Latest Comment on Mark Warner Announces Senate Run

Eboy

2:20 pm on 09/13/07

Otherwise known as . . . the lip.

Good luck, buddy.

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