More than 600 local officials, half of whom are Republicans or Independents, announced today they are supporting Democratic Candidate Mark. R. Warner over GOP nominee James S. Gilmore III in Virginia's U.S. Senate race.

The "Virginians for Warner" coalition includes several former GOP officials who have grown disenchanted with their party in recent years, including former state senator and gubernatorial candidate Russ Potts, former delegate Del. Vincent F. Callahan Jr. (Fairfax) and former Senate President John H. Chichester Jr. (Northumberland).

Warner also picked up an endorsement from former Republican governor Linwood Holton, who also endorsed Warner in his 2001 bid for governor and is supporting Sen. Barack Obama's presidential bid this year.

But Don Upson, who served as Secretary of Technology when Gilmore was governor, also announced his support for Warner.

Warner was also endorsed by former GOP delegates Bob Bloxom (Accomack), Hank Lampe (Arlington), Ed Robb (Albemarle), Jim Dillard (Fairfax), Panny Rhodes (Henrico), Preston Bryant (Lynchburg), Jack Rollison (Prince William), Clint Miller (Shenandoah) and Pete Giesen (Staunton). Former delegate Katherine Waddell, an Independent from Richmond, is also backing Warner.

Warner's full list of endorsements can be viewed at www.markwarner2008.com/endorsements.

By Tim Craig  |  October 2, 2008; 11:35 AM ET
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