Mark Robert Warner, a prominent figure in American politics, is the senior U.S. Senator from Virginia, a position he has held since 2009. Representing the Democratic Party, he previously served as Virginia's 69th governor from 2002 to 2006. Currently, he holds significant roles in the Senate, including Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus and Chair of the Intelligence Committee.
December 15, 1954: Birth of Mark Warner
Mark Robert Warner was born on December 15, 1954.
1968: Inspiration for Political Change
Mark Warner's interest in politics was sparked by his eighth-grade social studies teacher, Jim Tyler, who inspired him to work for social and political change in 1968.
1970: Harry Byrd Jr. Becomes Independent
In 1970, Harry F. Byrd Jr. left the Democratic Party to become an Independent, though he continued to caucus with the Democrats.
1974: Establishment of Pension Plan
The 1974 Pension Plan was established.
1976: Supreme Court Reinstates Capital Punishment
In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was constitutional under the Eighth Amendment.
1977: Graduation from George Washington University
Mark Warner graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1977.
1977: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 was enacted.
1980: Graduation from Harvard Law School and Coaching
Mark Warner graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor in 1980 and coached the law school's first intramural women's basketball team.
1981: Murder of Wanda McCoy
Roger Keith Coleman raped and stabbed his 19-year-old sister-in-law, Wanda McCoy, to death in 1981.
1982: Fundraising for the Democratic Party
Mark Warner worked in Atlanta from 1980 to 1982, raising money for the Democratic Party.
1988: Chuck Robb's Senate Victory
Chuck Robb secured a landslide victory in the 1988 Virginia Senate race, garnering 72% of the vote.
1989: Warner's Honeymoon Illness
In 1989, while on his honeymoon in Egypt and Greece, Mark Warner suffered a near-fatal burst appendix. He spent two months in the hospital recovering from the illness. His wife, Lisa Collis, was the first Virginia first lady to use her birth name during Warner's tenure as governor.
1989: Managing Douglas Wilder's Gubernatorial Campaign
Mark Warner managed Douglas Wilder's successful 1989 gubernatorial campaign.
1992: Execution of Roger Keith Coleman
Roger Keith Coleman was executed by the state of Virginia in 1992 for the 1981 rape and murder of his sister-in-law.
1993: Chairman of the State Democratic Party
Mark Warner served as chairman of the state Democratic Party from 1993 to 1995.
1995: Inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa
In 1995, George Washington University inducted Mark Warner into Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, as an alumni member.
1995: End of Tenure as Chairman
Mark Warner's tenure as chairman of the state Democratic Party ended in 1995.
1996: Unsuccessful Senate Run
Mark Warner ran for the U.S. Senate in 1996 against incumbent Republican John Warner but lost.
1999: Murder at Arlington Pool Hall
In 1999, Robin Lovitt murdered Clayton Dicks at a pool hall in Arlington.
2001: Mark Warner's Gubernatorial Campaign
In 2001, Mark Warner campaigned for governor as a moderate Democrat and won.
2001: Lovitt Trial and Evidence Destruction
Robin Lovitt was tried and convicted for the 1999 murder of Clayton Dicks in 2001. After the trial, Lovitt's lawyers revealed that a court clerk had illegally destroyed potentially exculpatory evidence.
2002: Utilizing the "Rainy Day Fund" and Tax Proposals
After being elected in 2002, Mark Warner drew upon a $900 million "rainy day fund" and campaigned for regional sales tax increases to fund transportation, but Virginians rejected both referendums.
2002: Mark Warner Elected Governor of Virginia
Mark Warner served as the 69th governor of Virginia from 2002.
2003: Influence on College Athletics
In 2003, Mark Warner used his position as governor to pressure the Atlantic Coast Conference to add Virginia Tech instead of Syracuse University.
2003: Democratic Gains in the House of Delegates
Mark Warner's popularity may have contributed to Democrats gaining seats in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2003.
2004: Tax Reform in Virginia
In 2004, Mark Warner worked with legislators and the business community to reform the tax code, lowering some taxes while increasing others, resulting in a net tax increase.
2004: Chairman of the National Governors Association
Mark Warner chaired the National Governors Association from 2004 to 2005.
January 2005: Virginia Ranked as Best Managed State
In January 2005, a study by the Government Performance Project ranked Virginia as the best-managed state in the nation.
February 2005: Kilgore Resigns as Attorney General
Jerry Kilgore resigned as attorney general in February 2005 to focus on his campaign for the Virginia governorship.
July 2005: Warner's Approval Rating Reaches Peak
In July 2005, Mark Warner's approval ratings as Governor of Virginia peaked, reaching as high as 80% in some polls.
November 29, 2005: Warner Commutes Robin Lovitt's Death Sentence
On November 29, 2005, outgoing Governor Mark Warner commuted Robin Lovitt's death sentence to life in prison without parole, citing concerns about destroyed evidence that could have exonerated him.
January 12, 2006: DNA Evidence Confirms Coleman's Guilt
On January 12, 2006, DNA test results from evidence in the Roger Keith Coleman case confirmed his guilt in the 1981 rape and murder of his sister-in-law, Wanda McCoy.
October 2006: Mark Warner Declines 2008 Presidential Run
In October 2006, Mark Warner announced he would not pursue the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
October 2006: Warner Declines Presidential Run
In October 2006, Mark Warner announced he would not seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, citing family reasons.
2006: Mark Warner Concludes Governorship
Mark Warner served as the 69th governor of Virginia until 2006.
September 13, 2007: Warner Announces Senate Candidacy
On September 13, 2007, Mark Warner declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John Warner (no relation) in the 2008 election.
2008: Warner Prepares for Senate Election
Throughout 2008, Mark Warner prepared for the upcoming Senate election, gaining endorsements and participating in key events.
2008: Financial Crisis Impacts Coal Industry
The 2008 financial crisis negatively affected the coal industry, leading to bankruptcies and jeopardizing miners' pensions.
2008: Mark Warner Elected to Senate
Mark Warner won his first election to the Senate in 2008 against his gubernatorial predecessor, Jim Gilmore.
2008: Warner Delivers Keynote Address at DNC
Mark Warner delivered the keynote address at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
2008: Keynote Speaker and Potential VP
Mark Warner delivered the keynote address at the 2008 Democratic National Convention and was considered as a potential vice presidential candidate.
2008: Warner's Campaign Contributions
From 2008 to 2014, some of Mark Warner's top campaign contributors included JP Morgan Chase, the Blackstone Group, and Columbia Capital. Notably, BlackRock began contributing after Warner bought shares in their Equity Dividend Fund in 2011.
2009: Warner Chairs Bipartisan Task Force on Government Performance
In 2009, Mark Warner was appointed chair of a bipartisan task force on government performance under the Senate Budget Committee. This role involved improving the performance of government programs.
2009: Mark Warner Becomes Senator
Mark Warner became the senior United States senator from Virginia in 2009.
2009: Warner Votes for Stimulus Bill and Tracking Amendment
Mark Warner voted in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the stimulus bill) in 2009 and proposed an amendment to monitor the spending of stimulus funds.
2009: Warner Receives Committee Assignments
Upon entering the U.S. Senate in 2009, Mark Warner was appointed to the Banking, Budget, and Commerce committees.
2010: Warner Leads Bipartisan Effort to Address U.S. Deficit
In 2010, Mark Warner played a significant role in leading the Senate's Gang of Six along with Saxby Chambliss. The group aimed to create a bipartisan plan to address U.S. deficits and debt, drawing inspiration from the Simpson-Bowles Commission.
2010: Warner Sponsors Government Performance and Results Act
In 2010, Mark Warner was a lead sponsor of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). The act imposed specific performance goals across federal agencies and enhanced the transparency of agency performance reviews.
2010: Commission on Humanities and Social Sciences Formed
In 2010, Senator Mark Warner, along with Senator Lamar Alexander and Representatives Tom Petri and David Price, initiated the formation of the Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
2010: Bipartisan Work on Dodd-Frank Act
In 2010, aiming to replicate his bipartisan success as Virginia governor, Senator Mark Warner collaborated with Republican Senator Bob Corker on a key provision of the Dodd-Frank Act. This provision aimed to prevent future taxpayer bailouts of failing financial institutions.
2010: Warner Supports Affordable Care Act and Cost-Reduction Efforts
Mark Warner voted for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, contributing to the Senate's ability to overcome a filibuster and pass the legislation. He also collaborated with other senators to introduce amendments focused on reducing healthcare costs through health IT and wellness programs.
2011: Introduction of the Startup Act
Senator Warner, as the original Democratic sponsor, partnered with Senator Jerry Moran to introduce the Startup Act in 2011. This legislation, aimed at promoting startup companies, saw subsequent iterations in 2012 and 2013.
2011: Support for Patriot Act Extension and Arlington Cemetery Improvements
Senator Warner voted in favor of extending the USA PATRIOT Act for another four years in 2011. That same year, he also spearheaded an initiative involving Northern Virginia's tech community to help address management issues and burial errors at Arlington National Cemetery.
2011: Warner Joins Intelligence Committee
In 2011, Mark Warner was appointed to the Senate Intelligence Committee.
2011: Warner Invests in BlackRock Fund
In 2011, Mark Warner bought shares in the BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund, which subsequently led to contributions from BlackRock to his campaign.
2011: Warner Honored for Bipartisan Fiscal Efforts
In 2011, Mark Warner and Saxby Chambliss were awarded the Economic Patriots Award by the bipartisan Concord Coalition for their work with the Senate's Gang of Six. The group had worked on a plan that included spending cuts, tax reforms, and entitlement reform to address U.S. deficits and debt.
November 2012: Warner Chooses Senate Over Governorship
After considering a run for a second term as Virginia's governor, Mark Warner announced after the November 2012 elections that he would remain in the Senate to focus on finding bipartisan solutions to national fiscal issues.
2012: Advocacy for Military Housing Improvements
In 2012, Senator Warner successfully advocated for better housing conditions for military personnel in Hampton Roads, Virginia, addressing concerns about the quality of military housing in the region.
2012: Addressing Federal Worker Benefits and Veteran PTSD Treatment
Senator Warner addressed concerns related to delays in processing retirement benefits for federal employees, many of whom resided in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, in 2012. He also played a crucial role in pushing the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve access to PTSD treatment for female veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
2012: Introduction of Startup Act 2.0
Senator Warner, in collaboration with Senator Jerry Moran, introduced Startup Act 2.0 in 2012, building upon their previous efforts to support startup companies through legislation.
2012: Warner Declines DSCC Chair
Mark Warner declined the offer to chair the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2012 election cycle, preferring to avoid partisan politics and focus on bipartisan solutions for fiscal challenges.
March 2013: Warner Announces Support for Same-Sex Marriage
In March 2013, Mark Warner publicly announced his support for same-sex marriage in a statement on his Facebook page, shortly after Senator Claire McCaskill made a similar announcement.
April 17, 2013: Warner Votes to Expand Gun Background Checks
On April 17, 2013, Mark Warner voted to expand background checks for gun purchases as part of the Manchin-Toomey Amendment. This represented his stance on responsible gun ownership.
May 21, 2013: Warner Introduces the DATA Act
On May 21, 2013, Mark Warner introduced the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA). The legislation aimed to standardize federal spending reporting, allowing citizens to track spending and agencies to identify improper payments and waste.
August 2013: Warner Advocates for Service Members Against Predatory Lending
In August 2013, Mark Warner joined 22 other Democratic senators in signing a letter to the Defense Department. The letter warned against payday lenders offering predatory loan products to service members at exorbitant interest rates. It called for the strongest possible protections for service members and their families to ensure that all forms of credit offered to them are safe and sound.
November 6, 2013: Senate Committee Passes DATA Act
On November 6, 2013, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee unanimously passed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA), a significant step towards federal spending transparency.
2013: Publius Award for Bipartisan Financial Reform
Senators Warner and Corker received the Publius Award in 2013 from the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. This award recognized their bipartisan efforts in shaping financial reform legislation.
2013: Introduction of Startup Act 3.0
Senator Warner, alongside Senator Jerry Moran, introduced Startup Act 3.0 in early 2013, further demonstrating their commitment to fostering a supportive environment for startup businesses.
2013: Induction into the Wireless Hall of Fame
Senator Warner's significant contributions to the telecommunications field were formally recognized in 2013 when he was inducted into the prestigious Wireless Hall of Fame.
2013: Warner's Continued Efforts in Bipartisan Deficit Reduction
In 2013, Mark Warner continued his work with the Senate's Gang of Six to craft a bipartisan plan to address U.S. deficits and debt. Despite their efforts, the group failed to produce a legislative 'grand bargain', though they agreed on a plan that included spending cuts and tax reforms.
January 27, 2014: Warner Criticizes White House's Version of DATA Act
On January 27, 2014, the White House Office of Management and Budget's marked-up version of the DATA Act was leaked. Mark Warner criticized the administration for attempting to gut the bill, which had bipartisan support and aimed to enhance transparency in federal spending.
April 10, 2014: Senate Passes DATA Act
On April 10, 2014, the Senate voted by unanimous consent to pass the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA), marking a significant milestone in enhancing federal spending transparency.
April 2014: Senate Debates Minimum Wage Fairness Act
In April 2014, the Senate debated the Minimum Wage Fairness Act, which sought to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. Mark Warner expressed a willingness to negotiate with Republicans on the bill's provisions, emphasizing the need for a responsible increase.
April 28, 2014: House Passes DATA Act
On April 28, 2014, the House of Representatives passed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA) by voice vote, furthering the legislation's goal of improving transparency in federal spending.
October 2014: Warner Implicated in Federal Investigation
In October 2014, Mark Warner was implicated in a federal investigation regarding the resignation of Virginia State Senator Phillip Puckett. Warner was alleged to have discussed potential job offers for Puckett's daughter to dissuade him from resigning.
2014: Warner's Campaign Contributions
From 2008 to 2014, some of Mark Warner's top campaign contributors included JP Morgan Chase, the Blackstone Group, and Columbia Capital. Notably, BlackRock began contributing after Warner bought shares in their Equity Dividend Fund in 2011.
2014: Warner Narrowly Wins Re-election
In 2014, Mark Warner narrowly won re-election to the Senate against Republican challenger Ed Gillespie, securing victory by a margin of just 17,000 votes.
2014: Mark Warner Re-elected to Senate
Mark Warner was reelected to the Senate in 2014, defeating Ed Gillespie.
January 2015: Republican Party Files Ethics Complaint Against Warner
In January 2015, the Republican Party of Virginia filed an ethics complaint against Mark Warner concerning his interactions with Phillip Puckett. The complaint alleged that Warner's actions violated the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.
July 2015: Warner Cosponsors the Equality Act
In July 2015, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine cosponsored the Equality Act along with other senators and House members. The act aimed to prohibit discrimination in housing, education, and the workplace.
2015: Criticism of Saudi-led Intervention in Yemen
In 2015, Senator Warner expressed concerns over the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, particularly criticizing the indiscriminate bombing and urging Gulf states to adopt a more focused approach.
September 2016: Opposition to UN Resolution Against Israel
In September 2016, ahead of a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements, Senator Warner joined an AIPAC-backed effort, urging President Obama to veto any resolutions perceived as biased against Israel.
2016: FBI Operative Contacts Trump Campaign
In 2016, Stefan Halper, an American foreign policy scholar, acted as an FBI operative and made contact with individuals involved in Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
June 2017: Support for Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia
Senator Warner voted in favor of a $350 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia in June 2017, proposed by the Trump administration.
July 2017: Support for Sanctions Against Iran, Russia, and North Korea
Senator Warner voted in favor of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in July 2017. This act imposed sanctions on Iran, Russia, and North Korea.
December 2017: Criticism of Trump's Jerusalem Decision
Senator Warner expressed his disapproval of President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017, arguing that it was ill-timed and could escalate tensions in the region.
2017: Warner Advocates for Second Amendment Rights
In 2017, Mark Warner declared himself a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights and committed to advocating for responsible gun ownership for hunting, recreation, and self-defense.
May 2018: Warning Against Revealing FBI Operative's Identity
In May 2018, Senator Warner, as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, cautioned Republican lawmakers against disclosing the identity of Stefan Halper, an FBI informant who had contacted members of the Trump campaign in 2016.
May 2018: Support for Gina Haspel as CIA Director
Senator Warner voted to confirm Gina Haspel as the director of the CIA in May 2018.
December 2018: Huawei Deemed a National Security Threat
In December 2018, Senator Warner publicly identified the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei as a threat to U.S. national security.
2018: Warner's Estimated Net Worth
In 2018, Mark Warner's net worth was estimated to be $215 million, reflecting his substantial financial success.
2018: Support for Banking Regulation Relaxation
In 2018, Senator Warner was among a small group of Democrats supporting a bill to ease banking regulations. They argued that this would benefit small and regional lenders, making it easier for them to extend credit. This stance differed from that of Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren.
2018: Criticism of Trump's Understanding of Foreign Assistance
In 2018, Senator Warner, along with other senators, expressed concern that President Trump's understanding of foreign aid was flawed, stating that he was undermining U.S. national security and economic interests.
2018: Warner Changes Stance on Assault Weapons Ban
In 2018, Mark Warner published an op-ed in which he changed his position and expressed support for an assault weapons ban. He also co-sponsored similar efforts thereafter.
2018: Coal Company Bankruptcies
A wave of coal company bankruptcies in 2018 further threatened the healthcare and pensions of retired miners.
January 2019: Warner Introduces American Miners Act
In January 2019, Mark Warner was among the six Democratic senators who introduced the American Miners Act of 2019. The bill aimed to support retired coal miners' healthcare and pensions, which were threatened by coal company bankruptcies and the 2008 financial crisis.
January 2019: Warner Introduces Background Check Expansion Act
In January 2019, Mark Warner was one of 40 senators to introduce the Background Check Expansion Act. The bill aimed to require background checks for the sale or transfer of all firearms, with certain exceptions such as transfers between law enforcement officers and loans for hunting or sporting events.
February 2019: Call to Secure Electricity Infrastructure
Senator Warner joined ten other senators in February 2019 in urging the Energy and Homeland Security secretaries to prioritize the protection of the nation's electricity infrastructure from potential threats.
April 2019: Criticism of Trump's Foreign Aid Policy
Senator Warner was among 34 senators who wrote to President Trump in April 2019, urging him to reconsider cuts to foreign aid, particularly to Central American countries. They argued that such aid helped improve conditions in those nations, ultimately reducing migration to the U.S.
June 2019: Introduction of the PAID AD Act
In June 2019, Senator Warner, along with Senator Amy Klobuchar, introduced the Preventing Adversaries Internationally from Disbursing Advertising Dollars (PAID AD) Act. This bill sought to amend campaign finance laws, prohibiting foreign nationals from buying political ads during election years.
July 2019: Cosponsorship of the Defending America's 5G Future Act
Senator Warner was a cosponsor of the Defending America's 5G Future Act in July 2019. This bill aimed to restrict Huawei's access to the U.S. market and strengthen national security protections related to 5G technology.
September 2019: Warner Advocates for Coal Miners' Benefits
In September 2019, Mark Warner joined five other Democratic senators in urging Congressional leaders to prioritize legislation ensuring permanent healthcare and pension benefits for retired coal miners, as many faced imminent benefit terminations.
May 13, 2020: Vote Against FISA Amendment
On May 13, 2020, Senator Warner and Senator Joe Manchin were the only Democrats to oppose the Lee-Leahy amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This amendment sought to increase oversight of counterintelligence activities.
2020: Mark Warner Wins Third Senate Term
Mark Warner was reelected to the Senate for a third term in 2020, defeating Daniel Gade.
2020: Warner Wins Third Senate Term
Mark Warner won his third term in the U.S. Senate in 2020, defeating Daniel Gade with 56% of the vote.
March 2023: Introduction of the RESTRICT Act
In March 2023, Senator Warner, collaborating with Senator John Thune, led a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the RESTRICT Act. This legislation sought to enhance national security by granting the federal government more authority to regulate and potentially restrict foreign technologies, including apps, deemed risky.
2023: Second Wealthiest U.S. Senator
As of 2023, Mark Warner is the second wealthiest U.S. senator.