Former Virginia GOP Leaders Endorsed Mark Warner
Five high-ranking Republicans crossed party lines to support Senator Mark Warner's campaign for a fourth term.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Political Parties
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Five former Republican leaders in Virginia, including longtime state senator Tommy Norment, announced their endorsement of Democrat Mark Warner for the U.S. Senate. The group cited Senator Warner's history of bipartisanship and pragmatic governance as their primary reasons for supporting his re-election.
Why it matters
The endorsements underscore a preference among some veteran Virginia conservatives for candidates who prioritize legislative results and cooperation over strict party-line politics. This backing serves as a significant signal as Senator Warner seeks what he has identified as his final term in office.
The endorsements include leaders with extensive service records, such as Tommy Norment who served 32 years and John Watkins who served 34 years in the General Assembly. Senator Warner is currently campaigning for his fourth term in the U.S. Senate against Republican challenger Bert Mizusawa.
The players
Tommy Norment
He is a former Virginia state senator who served for 32 years and spent 17 years in caucus leadership.
Mark Warner
He is the current U.S. Senator for Virginia who previously served as the Governor of Virginia.
John Watkins
He is a former Virginia state legislator who served in the General Assembly for 34 years before retiring in 2016.
Ken Stolle
He is a former Virginia senator and the former sheriff of Virginia Beach who served 33 total years in those public roles.
Bert Mizusawa
He is the Republican candidate challenging Mark Warner in the current U.S. Senate election.
The details
The coalition of supporters includes Barbara Comstock, Denver Riggleman, John Watkins, and Ken Stolle, who joined Norment in backing the incumbent. These leaders pointed to Senator Warner's previous efforts to work with Republicans, such as the 2004 tax package negotiations, as evidence of his commitment to non-partisan solutions.
Timeline
In 2004, Warner won Republican support for a $1.3 billion tax package.
John Watkins retired from the General Assembly in 2016.
Tommy Norment retired from the Virginia Senate in 2024.
On October 7, 2026, the five former Republican leaders issued their endorsements.
Political Context
The endorsements follow a pattern established by the 2004 Virginia tax package, which required and secured crucial Republican cooperation. Opposition figures may argue these endorsements represent an establishment disconnect from the current grassroots base and the platform of challenger Bert Mizusawa.
These endorsements offer voters a look at how different wings of the Republican party view the incumbent's legislative record versus his challenger. Residents should consider how Senator Warner's approach to bipartisanship has historically influenced tax and fiscal policy in the state.
The takeaway
These endorsements highlight the enduring value some political veterans place on cross-aisle cooperation in state and federal governance. Voters looking for pragmatic leadership may find this bipartisan support meaningful when evaluating their options for the U.S. Senate.
Further reading
For more on the state's election landscape, visit Political Parties in Virginia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Press.
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