Gilmore Enters Senate Race

Former governor James S. Gilmore announced this morning he will be a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate next year.

In a e-mailed announcement, Gilmore declares "the race is on."

"I'm running for the United State Senate from Virginia because I want to be one of those leaders who call on the spirit that is common in all of us, and use it to restore our country for the benefit of our people and in the eyes of the world," Gilmore says in an announcement video.

Gilmore becomes the first GOP candidate to enter the race. If he secures the nomination, Gilmore will likely face Democrat Mark R. Warner, also a former Virginia governor.

Gilmore, who was in office between 1998 to 2002, says his race against Warner will be a "clash of the titans."