Race for Virginia’s Senate seat is now set after months of delays, with a Republican contender entering a three-way contest to unseat longtime Senator Mark Warner.
Bert Mizusawa secured the Republican nomination, defeating two other hopefuls vying for the seat held by Warner, a Democrat who has dominated Virginia politics for decades. Warner won his last election by approximately 12 points and holds significant influence as a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
The race is not considered a top target for national Republicans, who have not nominated a Virginia senator in over 20 years. All three Republican candidates—Mizusawa and two others—have no prior elected office experience but bring backgrounds in government, intelligence, or military service.
Mizusawa, a former U.S. Army major general, previously ran unsuccessfully for Congress and the Senate over 16 years. He advised President Donald Trump on foreign policy, served as director of national security policy for the 2016 transition team, and worked as a senior advisor in the CIA. If elected, he pledges to address the national debt, affordability, and support military initiatives.
Mizusawa is not the only Republican challenging Warner. Mark Moran, an investment banker and former reality TV contestant, launched an independent campaign after abandoning a Democratic bid. Moran gained attention earlier this year for betting on his own election through prediction markets, a move that led to a $6,000 fine from regulators when he declined to settle the issue. He described the bet as a form of free campaign marketing, arguing that political success depends on financial influence rather than ideas.
