2012 United States Senate election in Virginia

The 2012 United States Senate election in Virginia took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jim Webb retired instead of running for reelection to a second term, and former Democratic governor of Virginia Tim Kaine won the open seat over Republican former senator and governor George Allen."Kaine hits the road to tout economic plan", The Washington Post. Kaine was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, and the Republicans nominated Allen through a primary on June 12, 2012. Allen had previously held this seat for one term before narrowly losing reelection to Webb in 2006. This was the first open election for this seat since 1988.

Democratic Party Nominee Tim Kaine, former governor of Virginia and former Democratic National Committee chairmanCillizza, Chris (April 5, 2011) "Tim Kaine announces for Senate in Virginia", The Washington Post. Retrieved April 5, 2011.O'Brien, Michael (April 5, 2011) "Tim Kaine launches Virginia Senate bid", The Hill. Retrieved April 5, 2011

Republican primary In Virginia, parties have the option of whether to hold a primary or to nominate their candidate through a party convention. In November 2010, the Virginia GOP announced that it had chosen to hold a primary.

Candidates

Nominee George Allen, former U.S. senator and former governor of Virginia

Eliminated in primary E. W. Jackson, minister and conservative activistSherfinski, David (May 8, 2011) http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/virginia/2011/05/dark-horse-candidates-expand-gop-field-va-senate-race Retrieved May 9, 2011 Bob Marshall, state delegate and candidate in 2008 Jamie Radtke, conservative activist

Withdrawn Tim Donner, founder of Horizons Television and LibertyNation.com David McCormick, attorney

Declined Liz Cheney, former principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia attorney general Tom Davis, former U.S. representative Corey Stewart, Prince William County Board of Supervisors chairman

Debates Three debates between Republican candidates were announced before the primary on June 12, 2012. The debates took place in Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads.

Polling Poll source GeorgeAllen Othercandidates UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 24–27, 2011 400 ±4.9% 52% 25% 23%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 21–24, 2011 400 ±4.9% 58% 23% 19%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling December 11–13, 2011 350 ±5.2% 53% 25% 22%

Poll source GeorgeAllen E. W.Jackson BobMarshall DavidMcCormick JamieRadtke Undecided July 21–24, 2011 400 ±4.9% 68% 2% 2% 0% 6% 22%Public Policy Polling 350 ±5.2% 67% 2% 3% 2% 5% 21%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 26–29, 2012 400 ±4.9% 66% 2% 8% — 3% 20%The Washington PostWashington Post 1,101 ±3.5% 62% 3% 12% — 5% 18%

Endorsements

Results

Hank the Cat On February 27, 2012, a Maine Coon cat named Hank the Cat was announced to be running a write-in campaign as a joke candidate. Hank's campaign raised for animal charities throughout the world.

General election

Candidates George Allen (Republican), former U.S. senator, former governor of Virginia and former U.S. representative from (1991–1993) Tim Kaine (Democratic), former governor of Virginia and former Democratic National Committee chairman

Only Allen and Kaine qualified for the ballot.

Debates David Gregory moderated a debate between Kaine and Allen on September 20, 2012. Topics included partisan gridlock in Washington policy making, job creation, tax policy, and Middle East unrest.

External links Complete video of debate, September 20, 2012 - C-SPAN Complete video of debate, October 8, 2012 - C-SPAN Complete video of debate, October 18, 2012 - C-SPAN

Campaign Once incumbent U.S. Senator Jim Webb decided to retire, many Democratic candidates were speculated. These included U.S. Congressmen Rick Boucher, Gerry Connolly, Glenn Nye, Tom Perriello and Bobby Scott. However, they all declined and encouraged Kaine to run for the seat, believing he would be by far the most electable candidate. Courtney Lynch, former Marine Corps Officer and Fairfax business consultant and Julien Modica, former CEO of the Brain Trauma Recovery & Policy Institute, eventually withdrew from the election, allowing Kaine to be unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Fundraising Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt Tim Kaine (D) $10,390,929 $7,666,452 $2,724,476 $0 George Allen (R) $8,015,948 $4,678,004 $3,337,942 $0 Kevin Chisholm (I) $24,165 $24,162 $0 $0 Terrence Modglin (I) $5,655 $5,389 $266 $0 Source: Federal Election CommissionTim Kaine Campaign FinancesGeorge Allen Campaign FinancesKevin Chisholm Campaign FinancesTerrence Modglin Campaign Finances

Top contributors [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/contrib.php?cycle=2012&id=vas1 OpenSecrets Tim Kaine Contribution George Allen Contribution Kevin Chisholm Contribution League of Conservation Voters $76,568 McGuireWoods LLP $76,950 Valu Net $2,475 Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld $51,650 Altria Group $64,749 Geolq Inc $1,500 University of Virginia $42,075 Alpha Natural Resources $38,000 McGuireWoods LLP $38,550 Elliott Management Corporation $35,913 Covington & Burling $36,700 Koch Industries $35,000 DLA Piper $31,750 Lorillard Tobacco Company $34,715 Bain Capital $30,000 Alliance Resource Partners $33,500 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom $28,250 Dominion Resources $31,800 Patton Boggs LLP $26,750 Norfolk Southern $31,550 Norfolk Southern $26,000 Boeing $23,750

Top industries Donors by industry (opensecrets.org) Tim Kaine Contribution George Allen Contribution Kevin Chisholm Contribution Terrence Modglin Contribution Lawyers/law firms $1,297,792 Retired $709,693 Misc. energy $250 Lawyers/law firms $200 Retired $762,722 Real estate $384,038 Financial institutions $477,700 Lawyers/law firms $348,459 Business services $373,900 Financial institutions $299,115 Real estate $372,829 Leadership PACs $277,000 Lobbyists $287,545 Lobbyists $275,600 Education $282,475 Mining $197,206 Misc. finance $218,600 Oil & gas $196,400 Leadership PACs $201,500 Insurance $159,065 Entertainment industry $156,279 Misc. finance $157,963

Independent expenditures In early October 2012, Crossroads GPS announced it would launch a $16 million advertising buy in national races, of which four were this and three other Senate elections.

Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics November 5, 2012

Polling Poll source TimKaine (D) GeorgeAllen (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 10–13, 2010 551 ±4.2% 50% 44% — 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling February 24–27, 2011 524 ±3.5% 47% 47% — 6%The Washington PostWashington Post April 28 – May 4, 2011 1,040 ±3.5% 46% 46% — 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling May 5–8, 2011 547 ±4.2% 46% 44% — 10%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac June 21–27, 2011 1,434 ±2.6% 43% 42% 2% 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 21–24, 2011 500 ±4.4% 46% 43% — 11%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac September 7–12, 2011 1,368 ±4.0% 44% 45% 1% 9%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 28, 2011 500 ±4.5% 46% 45% 3% 7%CNU/Times-DispatchCNU/Times-Dispatch October 3–8, 2011 1,027 ±3.1% 44% 42% 3% 12%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac October 3–9, 2011 1,459 ±2.6% 45% 44% 1% 9%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling December 10–12, 2011 600 ±4.0% 47% 42% — 11%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac December 13–19, 2011 1,135 ±2.9% 42% 44% 1% 12%Mason-DixonMason-Dixon January 16–18, 2012 625 ±3.9% 46% 46% — 8%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac February 1–6, 2012 1,544 ±2.5% 45% 44% 1% 9%CNU/Times-DispatchCNU/Times-Dispatch February 4–13, 2012 1,018 ±3.1% 40% 42% 2% 16%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports February 21, 2012 500 ±4.5% 46% 46% 3% 5%Roanoke CollegeRoanoke College February 13–26, 2012 607 ±4.0% 37% 45% — 19%NBC News/MaristNBC News/Marist February 29 – March 2, 2012 2,518 ±2% 48% 39% — 14%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac March 13–18, 2012 1,034 ±3.1% 47% 44% 1% 8%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports March 20, 2012 500 ±4.5% 44% 46% 3% 7%Roanoke CollegeRoanoke College March 26 – April 5, 2012 537 ±4.2% 39% 46% — 15%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports April 23, 2012 500 ±4.5% 45% 46% 4% 5%Public Policy Polling April 26–29, 2012 680 ±3.8% 46% 45% — 9%The Washington PostWashington Post April 28 – May 2, 2012 964 ±4% 46% 46% — 8%MaristMarist May 17–20, 2012 1,076 ±3% 49% 43% — 9%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 3, 2012 500 ±4.5% 46% 44% 3% 6%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac May 30 – June 4, 2012 1,282 ±2.7% 44% 43% 2% 10%We Ask AmericaWe Ask America June 25, 2012 1,106 ±2.95% 35% 44% — 21%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 5–8, 2012 647 ±3.9% 46% 44% — 11%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac July 10–16, 2012 1,673 ±2.4% 44% 46% 1% 10%Rasmussen Reports July 16–17, 2012 500 ±4.5% 46% 45% 5% 5%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac July 31 – August 6, 2012 1,412 ±2.6% 48% 46% — 6%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 7, 2012 500 ±4.5% 46% 46% 2% 6%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 16–19, 2012 855 ±3.4% 46% 46% — 9%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports August 23, 2012 500 ±4.5% 45% 45% 2% 8%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing September 8–9, 2012 2,238 ±2.2% 43% 48% — 10%NBC/WSJ/Marist PollNBC/WSJ/Marist Poll September 9–11, 2012 996 ±3.1% 46% 46% — 8%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 13, 2012 500 ±4.5% 47% 45% 2% 6%The Washington PostWashington Post September 12–16, 2012 847 ±4% 51% 43% 3% 4%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 13–16, 2012 1,021 ±3.1% 47% 46% — 7%CBS/The New York Times/QuinnipiacCBS/NYT/Quinnipiac September 11–17, 2012 1,485 ±2.5% 51% 44% — 5%FOX NEWS PollFOX NEWS Poll September 16–18, 2012 1,006 ±3% 47% 43% 1% 9%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing September 17, 2012 2,238 ±2.2% 43% 48% — 9%Huffpost PoliticsHuffpost Politics September 20, 2012 1,000 ±3% 46% 45% — 9%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University September 24–26, 2012 600 ±4% 44% 44% — 12%NBC/WSJ/Marist PollNBC/WSJ/Marist Poll September 30 – October 1, 2012 969 ±3.1% 49% 44% 1% 7%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 4, 2012 500 ±4.5% 52% 45% — 3%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 4–7, 2012 725 ±3.6% 51% 44% — 5%CBS/The New York Times/QuinnipiacCBS/NYT/Quinnipiac October 4–9, 2012 1,288 ±2.7% 51% 44% — 5%We Ask AmericaWe Ask America October 7–9, 2012 1,296 ±2.9% 41% 46% — 13%NBC/WSJ/Marist PollNBC/WSJ/Marist Poll October 7–9, 2012 981 ±3.1% 47% 46% — 7%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 11, 2012 750 ±4.0% 48% 47% 1% 4%Old Dominion UniversityOld Dominion University September 19 – October 17, 2012 465 ±3.4% 50% 43% — 6%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 18, 2012 500 ±4.0% 49% 48% 3% —Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 24, 2012 750 ±4.0% 49% 48% 3% —The Washington PostWashington Post October 22–26, 2012 1,228 ±3.5% 51% 44% — 5%Roanoke CollegeRoanoke College October 23–26, 2012 638 ±4.0% 42% 47% — 10%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing October 26, 2012 645 ±3.9% 46% 48% — 5%CBS/The New York Times/QuinnipiacCBS/NYT/Quinnipiac October 23–28, 2012 1,074 ±3% 50% 46% — 4%Reuters/IpsosReuters/Ipsos October 29–31, 2012 703 ±4.2% 47% 45% 1% 7% 855 ±3.8% 50% 38% 1% 11%WeAskAmericaWeAskAmerica October 30 – November 1, 2012 1,069 ±3% 50% 50% — —NBC/WSJ/MaristNBC/WSJ/Marist November 1–2, 2012 1,165 ±2.9% 49% 46% — 4%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 3–4, 2012 975 ±3.1% 52% 46% — 2%Rasmussen Reports November 4, 2012 750 ±4% 49% 47% 1% 4%

Democratic primary