Virginia Senate Race 2026

Compare candidates running in this Virginia federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Mark Moran

Party: Democrat

Gregory Eichelberger

Party: Democrat

Lorita Daniels

Party: Democrat

Chuck Smith

Party: Republican

David Williams

Party: Republican

Bert Mizusawa

Party: Republican

Aldous Mina

Party: Republican

Kim Farington

Party: Republican

Jason Reynolds

Party: Democrat

Mark Warner

Party: Democrat

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Virginia Senate Race

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 6, 2026
📊PollingJob approval only, not general election matchup
Limited general election polling available prior to August 4, 2026 primary elections. Morning Consult Q4 2025 showed Warner with 54% job approval rating. General election matchups not yet widely polled.
Source: Morning Consult2025-12-31
54%
Warner
safe dCook Political Report

Virginia is rated Solid Democratic with incumbent Mark Warner expected to solidly win re-election. This seat is not competitive and does not represent a flip opportunity for Republicans. Democrats hold this seat securely.

Mark MoranD
Gregory EichelbergerD
Lorita DanielsD
Chuck SmithR
David WilliamsR
Bert MizusawaR
Aldous MinaR
Kim FaringtonR
Jason ReynoldsD
Mark WarnerD

Summary

Mark Moran is a Democratic primary candidate running against incumbent Mark Warner. A 34-year-old former investment banker and reality television personality from Falls Church, Moran previously worked on Wall Street but became disillusioned with corporate power. He attended the College of William & Mary where he ran track and completed a dual J.D.-MBA program at the University of Virginia. Moran starred on the HBO Max dating show FBoy Island before returning to Virginia in 2024 after years working in New York. His campaign emphasizes an outsider perspective and focus on affordability, particularly housing costs in Northern Virginia. Moran is running as an independent in the Democratic primary, vowing not to accept corporate donations, Super PAC funds, or AIPAC contributions.

Gregory Eichelberger is a Democratic candidate running in the 2026 primary against incumbent Mark Warner. He holds the rank of Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve's Adjutant General's Corps. Eichelberger brings military service and paralegal experience to his candidacy.

Lorita Daniels is a Democratic candidate running in the 2026 primary against incumbent Mark Warner. She is a member of the Spotsylvania County School Board and brings education policy experience to her campaign. Daniels is a former teacher, giving her perspective on education issues and classroom challenges.

Chuck Smith is an attorney and veteran running in the 2026 Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Smith has significant military legal experience, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17 for six years and later in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps as an attorney for two decades. He earned his B.A. and J.D. from North Carolina Central University and received his commission from the U.S. Navy JAG Corps. Smith completed his certification in military science from the Naval Justice School. He comes from humble beginnings, growing up in the projects of Greensboro, North Carolina and rising through public schools and publicly funded colleges. Smith is a conservative who emphasizes constitutional principles, particularly the Second Amendment and right to life.

David K. Williams is a Marine Corps Reserve Colonel and career national security professional running in the 2026 Republican primary. With over 30 years of service, Williams has served in the United States Navy, Marine Corps, U.S. Department of State, and CIA. He is experienced on the front lines of war, intelligence operations, and diplomatic service. Williams now lives in Reston, Virginia with his wife and three children. His military service includes Iraq War combat experience and intelligence work. Williams describes himself as a proud American and lifelong Republican dedicated to fighting for his country both abroad and at home.

Bert Mizusawa is a retired United States Army Major General running in the 2026 Republican primary. With over 30 years of military service and national security experience, Mizusawa has held leadership positions in defense, intelligence, and diplomacy. He was named to Donald Trump's foreign policy advisor team in March 2016 and served on Trump's presidential transition team, where he led defense and national security vetting. Previously, he campaigned as a Republican candidate for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District in 2010 and ran for U.S. Senate in 2018 but did not collect enough signatures to appear on the ballot. Mizusawa's background includes military service where he led a Soviet defector to safety across the Military Demarcation Line in Korea under attack from North Korean soldiers.

Aldous Mina (also known as Al Mina) is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate with a background in economic development consulting and international development work. He earned an undergraduate degree from Liberty University and a graduate degree from American Intercontinental University. Mina has worked as a market entry and global finance consultant in frontier and emerging markets and served in the U.S. Peace Corps. He previously ran for U.S. Senate in Virginia in 2020 as an independent candidate but was defeated by incumbent Mark Warner. He is now running in the 2026 Republican primary.

Kim Farington is a Northern Virginia Republican candidate for U.S. Senate with over three decades of federal government service. Raised in Ohio, she began working at age 15 and earned her degrees while working full-time. Over 33 years in federal service, Farington held major leadership positions at the Department of Defense, USDA, Office of Personnel Management, and the White House, where she led financial reforms and claims to have saved taxpayers over $1 billion in waste and fraud. She later founded KTECH, a small business providing cybersecurity and financial management services, and holds patents for an American-made USB storage case. Farington lives in Fairfax Station with her retired Navy Captain husband Dave. She declared her candidacy in November 2024 and has traveled to every corner of Virginia listening to constituents.

Jason Reynolds is a progressive challenger to incumbent Mark Warner in the 2026 Democratic primary. A self-described 'regular Virginian' and IT professional, Reynolds was born in Rochester, New Hampshire in 1994-1996 (estimates vary) and moved to Virginia in 2001. He served briefly in the U.S. Army as a SIGINT analyst and has spent the last decade working as a project and program manager in IT fields. Reynolds has no political experience but frames this as an asset, running as an outsider who understands working families' struggles. He lives in Fredericksburg with his wife Lesley of 31 years and has two adult children. Reynolds emphasizes grassroots campaigning and pledges not to accept corporate donations, Super PAC funding, or lobbyist meetings.

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.

Campaign Promises

Other
  • Make government work for ordinary people, not elites
Economy
  • Address housing affordability crisis
Justice
  • Reform corporate influence in politics

No campaign promises listed yet.

No campaign promises listed yet.

Justice
  • Stop the shredding of the U.S. Constitution
  • Protect Second Amendment rights
  • Enforce right to life
  • Combat illegal immigration
Other
  • Conservative leadership and constitutional governance
Other
  • Limited government and constitutional principles
Justice
  • Strong borders and secure communities
Economy
  • American Dream and opportunity
Other
  • Faith, family, and freedom
Defense
  • Proven leadership in national defense
Other
  • Preserve conservative values in changing times
Economy
  • Support economic development and market capacity
Economy
  • Combat government waste and fraud
  • Empower small businesses
Other
  • Support government efficiency
Defense
  • Strengthen national security and military readiness
Justice
  • Protect Second Amendment rights
Healthcare
  • Universal healthcare for all Virginians
Economy
  • Protect and strengthen social safety nets
  • Address income inequality and raise wages
Justice
  • Safeguard democracy and restore checks and balances
Other
  • Return government to the people from political/economic elites
Economy
  • Lower costs for Virginians
  • Lead on artificial intelligence policy
Healthcare
  • Universal healthcare coverage
Other
  • Protect children on social media
Defense
  • Fight back against Trump administration

Key Issue Positions

Affordability and Economic Inequality
Challenge to wealthy incumbent
Moran positions himself as understanding affordability struggles better than Warner, arguing that Warner's wealth shields him from everyday problems like home down payments.
Corporate Power and Political Reform
Anti-corporate campaign finance
Moran argues that corporations have become more powerful than individuals or government. He pledges not to accept corporate donations, Super PAC funds, or AIPAC contributions.
Government Accountability
Challenge to political establishment
Moran frames his campaign as challenging a broken political system where politicians are too compromised by corporate interests.

No key issues listed yet.

No key issues listed yet.

Constitutional Protection and Enforcement
Strict constitutional interpretation and equal enforcement
Smith's core issue is ensuring the Constitution is equally enforced at all levels of government, particularly regarding individual rights.
Second Amendment Rights
Strong Second Amendment advocate
Smith emphasizes protection of Second Amendment rights against what he characterizes as unconstitutional gun control measures.
Pro-Life Position
Right to life from conception to natural death
Smith advocates for strong pro-life positions based on constitutional protection of life.
Immigration Enforcement
Strong enforcement of immigration laws
Smith prioritizes enforcing laws against illegal immigration and securing borders as constitutional governmental duties.
National Security and Defense
Strong defense with military expertise
Williams' entire career has centered on national security, defense, intelligence, and diplomacy, giving him deep expertise in security matters.
Limited Government
Conservative constitutional principles
Williams advocates for limited government and constitutional governance aligned with conservative ideology.
Border Security
Strong borders and immigration enforcement
Williams prioritizes secure borders and strong community safety as policy goals.
National Defense and Security
Strong defense advocate with military experience
Mizusawa's entire career has been centered on defense, national security, intelligence, and diplomacy, giving him deep expertise in these areas.
Conservative Values
Advocate for faith, family, and freedom
Campaign messaging emphasizes traditional conservative principles aligned with Republican base.
Conservative Values
Preserving traditional values amid change
Mina's campaign emphasizes maintaining conservative principles even as society and technology evolve.
Economic Development
Market-based economic growth
Mina's professional background in economic development and market capacity building shapes his policy approach.
Government Efficiency and Anti-Fraud
Combat waste and save taxpayer money
Farington's core message centers on her federal service record fighting fraud and inefficiency, claiming $1+ billion in taxpayer savings.
Support for Small Business
Main Street champion
Farington appears frequently at small business events and conventions, pledging support for policies enabling business growth and opportunity.
National Security
Strong defense advocate
Farington emphasizes military readiness and national security, positioning herself as aligned with Trump's national security priorities.
America First Agenda
Committed to Trump's America First agenda
Farington explicitly positions herself as committed to President Trump's America First foreign policy and domestic agenda.
Campaign Finance Reform
Citizens United decision is a disaster
Reynolds believes the Citizens United decision allowing corporate spending is an affront to founding fathers' vision. He pledges to never accept corporate funds, Super PAC money, or lobbyist contributions.
Healthcare
Universal healthcare advocate
Reynolds lists quality, affordable healthcare for every Virginian as a priority, positioning himself to the left of Warner on healthcare expansion.
Social Programs and Economic Security
Defend all social safety nets
Reynolds emphasizes protecting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP as critical to supporting working families.
Democratic Accountability and Term Limits
Support for congressional term limits
Reynolds signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge supporting an amendment to limit congressional terms, distinguishing himself from career politicians.
Affordability and Cost of Living
Central to campaign message
Warner launched his 2026 campaign with a five-day tour focusing on voters concerned about rising costs and the future of the economy, highlighting affordability as the top message from Virginians everywhere.
Artificial Intelligence and Technology
Tech companies should fund solutions
Warner believes technology companies that displace jobs with AI should help pay for workforce solutions, reflecting his background in technology entrepreneurship.
Child Safety on Social Media
Strong supporter of regulations
Warner has championed protecting children online through multiple legislative efforts including setting age minimums and requiring safety protections.
Foreign Policy and Intelligence Community
Defends intelligence agencies from Trump administration
Warner is vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and has been critical of Trump administration efforts to undermine intelligence professionals.

Top Donors

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

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Securities & Investment industry
$2,645,430Industry PAC
Major source of Warner's fundraising, reflecting his technology and business background
Apollo Global Management
$117,450Corporate PAC
Individual major corporate donor
Forward Together PAC (Warner's Leadership PAC)
Significant portion of fundsLeadership PAC
Warner's own political action committee funding his campaign

Contradictions

Claim: Moran was previously a Democrat but is now running as an independent-aligned candidate
Contradiction: While Wikipedia notes he 'previously ran as a Democrat,' Moran is running in the Democratic primary in 2026, though with messaging critical of the Democratic establishment.
Source: Wikipedia and Virginia Mercury reporting on 2026 primary candidates

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

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No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

Claim: Warner initially said he would not run for higher office as governor
Contradiction: In 2012, Warner announced he would not run for governor in 2013, but ran for Senate instead after John Warner retired, contradicting earlier statements about limiting his political ambitions.
Source: Virginia political history; Republican Loudoun County GOP posted on social media that Warner 'refiled for US Senate' claiming he was lying about his ambitions 29 years prior.
Claim: Warner voted against assault weapons ban in 2013
Contradiction: Warner initially voted against the 2013 assault weapons ban but later changed his position in a 2018 op-ed and has since co-sponsored similar efforts, showing evolution on gun safety.
Source: Multiple sources documenting his voting record and campaign positions

What Opponents Say

Mark Warner (incumbent)

Moran lacks governing experience and serious policy proposals

Warner can point to decades of Senate service and legislative accomplishments versus Moran's reality TV background and recent return to Virginia.

No opponent claims documented.

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No opponent claims documented.

No opponent claims documented.

No opponent claims documented.

Democratic opponents

Farington lacks political experience and electability against incumbent

As a non-incumbent Republican challenging a well-established Democrat in a blue-leaning state, Farington faces questions about viability.

Mark Warner (incumbent)

Reynolds lacks experience and concrete legislative achievements

Warner can point to 18+ years of Senate service, major legislative accomplishments, and relationships across party lines that Reynolds cannot match.

Jason Reynolds (Democratic primary opponent)

Warner is out of touch with working families because of his wealth

Reynolds, as a progressive challenger, argues that Warner's status as one of the wealthiest senators shields him from understanding everyday economic struggles of ordinary Virginians.

Kim Farington (Republican primary opponent)

Warner is not focused on government efficiency or national security

Farington emphasizes her background in combating government fraud and federal service, implying Warner has not prioritized these issues as a senator.

Endorsements

No endorsements listed.

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U.S. Term Limits (organizational pledge)organization
U.S. Term Limits (organizational pledge)organization

No endorsements listed.