Virginia Republican Senator John Warner Plans to Retire

Virginia Republican Senator John Warner, who is 80 years old, announced today he will not seek reelection. Warner is leaving what would have been a safe seat for the Republicans if he had chosen to run again. His departure gives Democrats a better chance to protect or even expand their one-seat majority in the Senate. This creates a huge problem for the GOP in Virginia where moderate Democrats who are members of the NRA are tending to get elected to statewide office more often. The nomination battle among Republicans might include former Gov. Jim Gilmore and U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis. Within three hours of Warner's announcement, Virginia's two representatives to the RNC had sent letters to Virginia Republicans supporting Gilmore for the office. Another potential is Congressman Eric Cantor who is the Republican Whip.

In 1996, conservative Republicans sought to deny Warner a fourth term. Warner had angered conservatives two years earlier by opposing GOP nominee Oliver North's bid to unseat Democrat Sen. Charles S. Robb. Warner backed an independent who drew enough votes from moderates to ensure Robb's re-election. GOP conservatives then backed former Reagan administration budget director Jim Miller to challenge Warner for renomination. Warner won the primary. Warner improved his relationship with the GOP by supporting the successful campaigns of Gilmore for governor in 1997 and George Allen for Robb's Senate seat in 2000. Senator Warner will probably not be missed by social conservatives.

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