Any moment now Former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner is planning on releasing a bulk e-mail announcing his future intentions of either running for the recently vacated Senate seat or for the Governor's seat in 2009.
This morning the New York Times Blog is reporting that he'll make a run at the Senate:
WASHINGTON — Former Gov. Mark Warner of Virginia has told fellow Democrats that he intends to run for the seat being vacated by Senator John Warner, a Republican, who is retiring after serving five terms. An aide to Mark Warner said he would announce his decision on Thursday.
[...]
Mark Warner, 52, served as governor from 2002 to 2006 and had briefly contemplated running for the Democratic nomination for president. He had raised $9 million for a potential White House bid before deciding against it last October. Virginia law bars its governors from seeking re-election to a consecutive term.
If this holds true, and we will find out shortly, this is an absolutely huge recruiting pick up for the Democrats.
Virginia will be a key battleground in 2008 as Democrats seek to extend their majority in Congress. Two Republicans have also expressed interest in the Senate seat: Representative Thomas M. Davis and former Gov. Jim Gilmore, who himself mounted a presidential this year before dropping out in July.
So what of former Governor Gilmore and Rep. Davis? What kind of challenge can we expect out of them?
I direct you to this week's Rasmussen Poll:
Jim Gilmore (R): 34%
Mark Warner (D): 54%
and
Tom Davis (R): 30%
Mark Warner (D): 57%
I'll continue to update this diary when word of his decision is announced officially.
UPDATE I: The Associated Pressis reporting that Warner is definitely in:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner intends to run for the Senate next year, Democratic officials said Wednesday, assuring his party a competitive race for a seat long in Republican hands.
Warner scheduled an e-mail announcement of his plans for Thursday. The seat is currently held by Republican Sen. John Warner, who recently said he will retire at the end of his current term after 30 years in office.
The officials who discussed former Gov. Warner's intentions did so on condition of anonymity, saying they did not want to pre-empt his announcement.
UPDATE II: From the man himself:
UPDATE III: Here is Mark's official web site, Markwarner2008.com. Sign up for the e-mail and show your support!
UPDATE IV: Last update here, just thought I'd give out some more info on Warner for those who aren't very famliar with him. Here's Mark on some of the issues:
- Abortion is a woman's right.
- End racial profiling.
- Extend hate crime legislation to protect sexual orientation.
- No on school prayer.
- Every child should have health care.
- Supports second amendment rights.
Now the not-so-great stances:
- Supports NAFTA.
- Pro-Death Penalty.
- Increase penalties on drug users.
Overall, I'll take him over John Warner or any other Repuke any day.