Incumbent Tim Kaine (D) and Hung Cao (R) are running in the general election for the U.S. Senate in Virginia on November 5, 2024.
Kaine was first elected to the seat in 2012, winning 53%-47%. He was re-elected in 2018, winning 57%-41%. University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said Cao’s challenge against Kaine is “making the race visible enough that it will draw the kind of media attention and donor attention that will be required to make the race competitive.”
Based on reports filed with the Federal Election Commission in the second quarter of 2024, Kaine raised $16.0 million and spent $10.7 million and Cao raised $3.1 million and spent $2.7 million. To review all the campaign finance figures in full detail, click here.
The economy is a top issue in the race. Kaine said, “Unemployment rates are at historic lows, inflation rates are down, 401K’s are up, manufacturing jobs are up,” and stated he “was really happy to be part of the Inflation Reduction Act.”
Cao said the Inflation Reduction Act did not help with inflation and added, “What we need [to] be is energy independent.” Cao’s campaign website adds: “A country is more than just the sum of our GDP. We must be proactive, not reactive. Bold American energy and manufacturing policies will create good-paying jobs for Americans and ensure our country remains the standard-bearer for the free world.”
Before his election to the U.S. Senate, Kaine served as governor from 2006 to 2010 and lieutenant governor from 2002 to 2006. He was also the mayor and a city council member in Richmond. Kaine was previously a missionary and civil rights attorney. Cao served in the U.S. Navy from 1989 to 2021, including as a special operations officer. He received a master’s degree in physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2008.
Cao called Kaine “a weak man in a dangerous time” and contrasted their public service records, saying, “He sits in there and he collects a paycheck, he makes a lot of nice investments, and he’s a millionaire.” Cao added, “And for the same amount of time, I served in the military and I have scars, so you tell me who fought for Virginia and who fought for America.” Kaine responded, “I respect his service, his public service. He should respect mine, and a person who pats themselves on the back but can’t respect others’ achievements, that’s a character reveal.”
The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. Senate in 2025.
Thirty-four of 100 seats are up for election, including one special election. Of the seats up for election in 2024, Democrats hold 19, Republicans hold 11, and independents hold four. As of May 2024, eight members of the U.S. Senate had announced they were not running for re-election.