Tim Kaine announces Senate reelection bid, sparing Democrats 2024 headache
Virginia Aabram
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Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) announced Friday that he will run for reelection in 2024, saving Democrats a headache as they will not need to defend an open seat in purple Virginia in what will be a tough cycle for Senate Democrats.
Kaine, 64, made his announcement in Richmond on Friday morning after saying a few weeks ago that he hadn’t yet made up his mind about seeking another term. Democrats will have a more difficult map in 2024, with more of their Senate seats up for election, and an open race in Virginia would mean they’d have to focus additional energy and resources on what has been a historically safe seat.
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“I am happy to announce that I will seek reelection in 2024 to keep delivering results for Virginia,” Kaine said at a press conference, adding that the Senate is “frustrating” but that he feels he has more work to do.
Kaine told Politico recently, “I am acting completely consistent with the intent to run again,” and “I don’t make a decision until, you know … into next year. But my actions: I am vigorously fundraising, doing everything that a candidate does.”
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Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) won the governorship in 2021 in a surprise and narrow defeat of former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA). Youngkin is barred from seeking a second consecutive term as governor, and he might have a good shot at the Senate if he chooses to enter the race. Incumbents tend to have a better advantage over new candidates, however.
Kaine was the governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010 and ran for vice president in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential bid.