Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb Launches 2016 Presidential Exploratory Committee

Falls Church area residents: One of your neighbors has launched an exploratory committee to run for president.

Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, who announced in 2011 his retirement from the U.S. Senate after one term, is seeking the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination. The former U.S. Navy secretary (during the Reagan administration) and Vietnam veteran revealed his plans Wednesday night, stating on his Twitter account: “A message from Jim Webb,” with a link to his plans on a Web site, www.webb2016.com:

Dear Friends:

I’d like to take a few minutes of your time to ask you to consider the most important question facing America today: Is it possible that our next President could actually lay out a vision for the country, and create an environment where leaders from both parties and from all philosophies would feel compelled to work together for the good of the country, despite all of the money and political pressure that now demands they disagree?

Later in the four-page letter, he states:

In that spirit I have decided to launch an Exploratory Committee to examine whether I should run for President in 2016. I made this decision after reflecting on numerous political commentaries and listening to many knowledgeable people. I look forward to listening and talking with more people in the coming months as I decide whether or not to run.

Go here to read the entire letter.

James Henry Webb, Jr. 68, is a native of St. Joseph, Mo. He has quite a varied background: He attended the University of Southern California on a Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship from 1963–1964. In 1964, Webb earned appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

First in his class of 243 at the Marine Corps Officer’s Basic School, he served as a rifle platoon and company commander in Vietnam and was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts. He graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1975. The author of 10 books, he won an Emmy for his coverage in 1983 of U.S. Marines in Beirut. He is the father of six children and is married to lawyer Hong Le Webb, his third wife. He speaks Vietnamese.

Hillary Clinton, widely seen as a frontrunner if she decides to run, is no stranger to Virginia, with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe both a personal friend who has helped run and finance campaigns for the Clintons. Clinton campaigned for McAuliffe last year in Falls Church at a rally at the State Theatre.

Virginia has become a crucial swing state in the presidential election, going for President Obama in the last two elections after many years of voting for Republican presidential nominees. Obama won Virginia in 2012 with 51.15 percent of the vote.

Webb barely won his U.S. Senate bid in 2006 with .5 percent margin of the vote against politically wounded incumbent George Allen.

PHOTO: Official Senate photo of former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb