If John Warner announces his retirement as expected, the big question for Democrats is: What will Mark Warner do?
The popular former Democratic governor could decide to seek the vacant Senate seat next year, or try to return to the Executive Mansion in 2009.
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All Mark Warner has said publicly is that he plans a return to politics but has not hinted in what capacity.
“He is being very closed-mouth about it,” said Margaret Vanderhye, a Northern Virginia Democratic legislative candidate who held a July fundraiser that Warner headlined. “He does not betray anything.”
Complicating the decision is the possibility that Mark Warner, who is not related to John Warner, could be chosen as a vice presidential nominee. Running for the Senate, which his wife and daughters prefer, would nix any vice presidential chances.
Deciding to run for governor, which probably fits the former telecom executive’s persona better, also has the advantage of putting him in a better position for a 2012 or 2016 White House bid.
State Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, and Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, who are both preparing gubernatorial campaigns, would be their party’s leading Senate candidates if Mark Warner does not run.
