The post was written by Hatchet Reporter Amy Rhodin
TYSONS CORNER, Va. – Mark Warner, former Virginia governor and a GW graduate, slid into victory for a Virginia Senate seat Tuesday night by a reported 64 percent of the vote.
“I am proud to stand in front of you as a new United States Senator,” Warner said to more than 700 supporters at a campaign celebration attended in the McClean Tysons Corner Hilton Hotel. The event was attended by top Virginia politicians and Warner supporters.
In his acceptance speech, Warner, who defeated Republican opponent Jim Gilmore, pinpointed energy, the economy, and bipartisanship in Washington as being the foundations for his administration.
As the crowd chanted “Yes, we can,” Warner introduced how he plans to resolve the problems.
“We cannot get the nation on the right track if we continue to look at every problem with the old ideas of red versus blue or black versus white,” Warner said.
During his four years as governor, Warner became known for establishing a bipartisan approach to solving issues. He promised to bring this idea into the Senate.
“This is Mark Warner’s night. This is Barack Obama’s night. This is the Democratic Party’s night. This is America’s night,” said senior Virginia Senator, Jim Webb.
When Warner joins Webb on Capitol Hill in January, it will be the first time since 1970 that Democrats have held both the state of Virginia’s two Senate seats.
“He is a terrific person who knows the people, who knows the state, and who is able to compromise,” said Warner supporter and Virginia resident, Richard Dick. “He is what Washington needs.”
GW sophomore Robert Nelson attended the event as an intern for Congressman Jim Moran (D-Va.), but said that he is a “huge fan of Warner’s.”
“It’s kind of like getting presents on Christmas,” Nelson said. “We expected it, but it still feels really good.”
Landan Manteghi, who voted for Warner Tuesday morning, said that a head cold did not deter her from coming to support her choice candidate.
“He was an amazing leader as Governor,” said Manteghi. “One day Mark Warner will be on the ballot for President of the United States.”
