Virginia Senator Mark Warner Seeks Fourth Term in Midterm Election
Incumbent Democrat Mark Warner faces Republican challenger Bert Mizusawa in a closely watched U.S. Senate race as Virginia voters head to the polls.
Virginia voters are casting their ballots in the midterm elections, deciding whether to re-elect longtime incumbent Democrat Senator Mark Warner or choose his Republican challenger, Bert Mizusawa, for the U.S. Senate. Warner, a former Virginia governor who has served in the Senate since 2009, is seeking his fourth term in office. On multiple occasions, Warner has stated that if he is elected, this will be his final term in the Senate.
The Senate race features starkly different priorities between the two candidates. Throughout the campaign, Warner has concentrated heavily on the cost of living, addressing issues such as high diesel prices and health care, while also emphasizing that ending the conflict involving Iran should remain a top priority. In addition to his legislative duties, Warner serves as the vice chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Challenger Bert Mizusawa is a retired United States Army Major General and former Deputy Undersecretary of the Army who won the Republican primary in August. Mizusawa has centered his campaign around election integrity, border security, and enacting legislation that would require proof of citizenship to vote.
Beyond the high-stakes Senate contest, Virginia's midterm ballot features crucial races for the U.S. House of Representatives across 11 congressional districts. Analysts are closely monitoring several of these House matchups, noting that the outcomes could significantly impact the overall balance of power in Congress as Republicans work to maintain their majorities during the second half of President Donald Trump's second term, while Democrats seek to regain control.
Voters across the commonwealth are also deciding on three major proposed constitutional amendments. These ballot measures address critical issues including the automatic restoration of voting rights for individuals convicted of felonies upon the completion of their sentences, the enshrinement of reproductive rights into the state constitution, and the removal of the unenforceable ban on same-sex marriage currently present in Virginia's foundational document.
The 2026 voting schedule in Virginia has been notably busy, following an April special election regarding a proposed redistricting plan that pushed primary elections from June to August. Early in-person voting concluded recently, and polling places opened statewide on Tuesday with normal operations scheduled until polls close at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, allowing any voter waiting in line by that deadline to cast a ballot.