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Warner, Wittman win

New U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-VA celebrates his victory with his wife, Lisa Collis, in McLean on Tuesday.

By Tracy Bell
Published: November 05, 2008

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STAFFORD — Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner was victorious Tuesday night in his quest to reach the Senate.

The Democrat won easily over Republican Jim Gilmore. Both were running for election with the hope of replacing Sen. John Warner, 81, who is retiring.

Mark and John Warner are not related.

Other candidates included Glenda Gail Parker, from the Independent Green Party and William Redpath, a Libertarian.

On Tuesday night, Mark Warner won, taking 64.3 percent of the vote, according to the Virginia State Board of Elections.

The election gave Virginia two Democratic U.S. senators for the first time since 1970. Warner will join fellow Democrat Jim Webb, who narrowly won his seat in 2006.

Warner outspent Gilmore nearly 10 to 1 in the race. Warner spent $18.5 million through mid-October, according to the Federal Election Commission, to Gilmore's $1.9 million.

Just prior to giving his acceptance speech at the Hilton McLean Tyson's Corner hotel, Warner recorded a video message, thanking supporters.

“Virginians want a senator that’s going to go to Washington, find common ground and get things done,” he added.

In a separate race, U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman was victorious, winning back his 1st District Seat. The Republican Congressman took office after a special election in December 2007, following the death of U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis.

Wittman, of Montross, has represented the people of the 1st District since then. The district includes 28 Virginia localities including Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and Prince William.
Democrat Bill Day Jr. and Libertarian Nathan Larson had challenged Wittman in the race.

Media General’s Neil H. Simon contributed to this report.