U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) questions Zalmay Khalilzad, special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 27, 2021.
Susan Walsh | Pool | Reuters
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia announced Friday that he’ll seek a 3rd term in office, snuffing out speculation that the previous vice presidential nominee could possibly be retiring and opening up his prized Senate seat in a troublesome election cycle.
“I’m a servant, I really like Virginia, I’m happy with what I’ve done, I’ve got an entire lot more to do,” Kaine, 64, said at a press event within the state’s capital of Richmond.
He made the announcement after hosting a roundtable event with city leaders.
Kaine has steadily climbed the political ladder in Virginia over nearly three a long time, serving on Richmond’s city council before ascending to mayor, then lieutenant governor, governor and eventually senator.
He stepped into the national highlight in 2016 when then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tapped him as her running mate. After the Clinton-Kaine ticket lost to former President Donald Trump and his vice presidential pick, Mike Pence, Kaine returned to Virginia, winning a second Senate term in 2018.
“I’m glad to announce that I’ll seek re-election in 2024 to maintain delivering results for Virginia. I have been honored to serve people as a missionary, civil rights lawyer, and elected official on the local, state and federal levels. I really like the Commonwealth and its residents and need to maintain being your Senator,” Kaine said in a press release.
The announcement comes as Democrats could face a troublesome Senate map in 2024, even after they broadly outperformed expectations in last yr’s midterm elections. It also comes amid some uncertainty about whether President Joe Biden, who at 80 is the oldest president in U.S. history, will run for reelection in 2024.
“Tim Kaine has proven to be an exemplary Senator that continues to deliver for Virginia and our country time and time again,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in an announcement to NBC News.
“Tim has fought tirelessly for his home state and for working families and I’m confident his best years are yet to return,” Schumer said.
