Mark Warner is a longtime Virginia Democratic figure and the incumbent U.S. Senator, having served since 2009. Born in Indianapolis in 1954, Warner earned his B.A. in political science from George Washington University and J.D. from Harvard Law School. Before entering electoral politics, he worked as a technology entrepreneur and venture capitalist, co-founding the company that became Nextel, which helped make him one of the wealthiest Democrats in Congress with an estimated net worth exceeding $215 million. As governor from 2002 to 2006, he developed a reputation as a pragmatic dealmaker who worked across party lines. Now 71 years old, Warner serves as Senate Democratic Conference Vice Chair and is a prominent voice on national security, technology policy, and economic competitiveness.
Warner was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 15, 1954. He grew up in the Midwest and New England before attending George Washington University for his undergraduate degree. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1980. Before his political career, Warner worked as a staffer for Senator Chris Dodd and became a successful technology entrepreneur, co-founding the company that became Nextel. He served as chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party from 1993-1995, manager of Gov. Douglas Wilder's successful 1989 gubernatorial campaign, and as governor of Virginia from 2002-2006. He first lost a Senate race in 1996 to John Warner (no relation) but successfully won the seat in 2008 and has been re-elected twice.