Warner To Retire

(The Politico)  Virginia Sen. John Warner (R) said Friday that he will not seek reelection.

Warner, 80, long a Capitol Hill power as a result of his post as chairman of the Armed Services committee when Republicans controlled the Senate, said of his five terms: "I have done my best" and closed with a quote from Thomas Jefferson on the historic campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.  He said he'd made the decision in the "last day or two" and had wanted to first make one final trip to Iraq.

Warner said his age had been a factor in his decision.  "You got to face that I"m now 80," Warner said. "I would be near 88 when I finish (a sixth term) . . . I want to be fair to this wonderful state."

Warner's decision creates a crucial battleground in next year's struggle for control of the Senate. Traditionally a Republican stronghold, Virginia has shown signs of trending Democratic in recent years, including last fall's victory by Democrat James Webb over incumbent Republican Sen. George Allen.

Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) and former governor Jim Gilmore are expected to seek the GOP nomination, while former governor Mark Warner is viewed as a potential Democratic contender.

“Today’s a day to celebrate and honor John Warner," David said in a statement. "He’s more than earned a victory lap. An announcement from me on my future plans can wait for another day.”

Warner said he had made no decision about who to back as a potential successor.