Popular former governor jumps into Virginia Senate race

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate Thursday with a new campaign Web site and a YouTube video.


Mark Warner announced his candidacy for the Senate on his Web site Thursday.

The site, called MarkWarner2008, features a Web video in which Warner pitches himself as a moderate problem solver willing to work with both Republicans and Democrats -- the same formula that contributed to his popularity as Virginia governor.

"I've decided the way I can contribute most to getting our country back on track is to serve in the United State Senate," Warner said in the video.

Warner also says he will wait to make a formal announcement until after Virginia's legislative elections in November.

The former governor also informed supporters Thursday morning by e-mail about his decision to run for the Senate.