Gilmore Announces Bid for U.S. Senate
Two Former Governors Could Face Off

By Anita Kumar
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 20, 2007; B01

RICHMOND, Nov. 19 -- Former governor James S. Gilmore III announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Monday, setting up a likely contest between the state's two most recent governors, who differ sharply in leadership style and on issues.

For a traditionally conservative state that has favored Democrats since Gilmore left office, a matchup with former governor Mark R. Warner would provide a definitive choice for voters: Do they prefer a social conservative who cut taxes but left a deficit, or a centrist businessman who balanced the budget but raised taxes?

Gilmore, a conservative Republican who served from 1998 until 2002, and Warner, the pro-business Democrat who replaced him, clash on such topics as taxes, transportation, national security and immigration.

Gilmore, 58, had been widely expected to enter the race to replace retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R). On Monday, he did so formally, e-mailing a video to 5,000 supporters and posting it on the YouTube video-sharing Web site. He also mailed 70,000 letters.

"I'm running for the United States Senate from Virginia because I want to be one of those leaders who call on the spirit that is common in all of us and use it to restore our country for the benefit of our people and in the eyes of the world," Gilmore said in the video.

Both Gilmore and Mark Warner, 52, who announced his candidacy in September, still might face opponents in the race for their parties' nominations next year.

On Monday, at least one other Republican -- Del. Christopher B. Saxman of Staunton, who is considered a rising star in his party -- said he is considering challenging Gilmore.

"From what I've been hearing, people are interested in change," said Saxman, 42, who has been in the House of Delegates since 2002. "They want new leadership and new blood. I just think people want to break out of the direction the party has been going in and make changes."

In the past week, Saxman has met with several members of Congress, White House officials and members of the national Republican Party to discuss entering the race. He said he would decide in the next few weeks. But although some Republicans say they would prefer a more moderate candidate, others say no one else stands a chance against Gilmore.

"Governor Gilmore is going to be the nominee," Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) said. "He has widespread support and will be a good contrast to Mark Warner."

Gilmore, who led a federal commission on homeland security and was governor during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, stressed his experience in national security and foreign affairs, his commitment to education and his desire to fight illegal immigration. Warner has vowed to end the war in Iraq, reshape the nation's energy policies and work to restore America's standing in the world.

"To me, it's a complete contrast race," said Mike Wade, a Republican activist and chairman of the Third District Republican Committee in Hampton. "It's the best contrast race Virginians have seen in a long time."

Despite their many differences, the race may come down to taxes and spending. Both candidates and their parties are expected to highlight the other's record on those issues.

"Gilmore's misplaced priorities and faulty management left the state swimming in red ink," said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Gilmore won the governor's mansion after promising to eliminate the unpopular personal property tax that Virginia cities and counties levy on vehicles. It is a key source of revenue for local governments. Democrats blame Gilmore for underestimating the impact of the tax cut on services and contributing to a state budget shortfall that eventually topped $6 billion. The so-called car tax was never fully eliminated.

Republicans accuse Mark Warner of breaking a 2001 campaign promise to not raise taxes. With help from moderate Republicans, Warner pushed through a $1.4 billion tax increase in 2004 to close the shortfall. He also cut the size of state government.

"Do they want to be represented by someone with a record of fiscal irresponsibility and extreme partisanship, or do they want a U.S. senator with a proven record of bringing people together to get results and create real change?" asked Kevin Hall, Mark Warner's spokesman.

A Washington Post poll conducted early last month showed that Warner held a 30-point lead over Gilmore, garnering more than 60 percent of the vote in a hypothetical matchup.

The Republican Party is trying to retain a seat that has been held by John Warner since 1979. The senator is not related to the former governor.

That may not be easy, some political experts say, because of President Bush's low approval ratings and the unpopular war in Iraq.

In addition, Virginia, which was reliably Republican in federal races for about two decades, has changed significantly recently, and Democrats have fared better statewide. Since Gilmore left office, the state has elected two Democratic governors, and last year Democrat James Webb unseated Republican George Allen for a U.S. Senate seat.

"It's a very, very tough year for Republicans," said J. Kenneth Klinge, a longtime GOP strategist from Fairfax County who initially supported another candidate but is now not involved in the race.

Gilmore opened a campaign account Monday to begin raising money, saying he will be able to raise the millions of dollars he would need to compete with Warner, a wealthy businessman with a proven ability to raise money. Warner raised more than $1.1 million in the first three weeks after he announced his candidacy, including more than $500,000 in the first three days.

Staff writer Tim Craig and researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.