Sen. Tim Kaine Of Virginia To Seek Re-election: Reports

RICHMOND, VA — U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee and a fixture in Virginia politics, will seek re-election for a third term next year, according to reports, assuaging fears among Democrats worried about losing the party's slim majority in the Senate.

"I am happy to announce that I will seek reelection in 2024 to keep delivering results for Virginia," Kaine told reporters after attending an economic roundtable in Richmond, according to The Hill.

Kaine, who turns 65 next month, has served in the Senate since 2013 and was Virginia's governor from 2006 to 2010. He was also lieutenant governor from 2002 to 2006.

Kaine said he grappled with the decision, according to The Washington Post. However, he told the Post he finds it "energizing" to travel the state and serve its people.

"Man, I've got more I wanna do," he said

A Kaine retirement would have been a blow to Democrats politically and practically in a swing state that both parties prize. A former Virginia governor and lieutenant governor, Kaine will enter the race as the early favorite in a must-hold seat for Democrats facing a tough Senate map in 2024.

While Virginia has grown increasingly liberal over the last decade, Republican Glenn Youngkin pulled off an upset over Democratic former Gov. Terry McAuliffe in the 2021 governor's race.

Kaine is best known nationally as Hillary Clinton's running mate in the 2016 presidential election, a race they lost to Donald Trump and Mike Pence in one of the most stunning upsets in U.S. history.

As a senator, Kaine has fought automatic federal budget cuts, worked to reduce unemployment among veterans and sought federal recognition for Virginia's Native American tribes. He recently pressed for the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.