Former Gov. Mark Warner (D) was spotted in the Capitol on Wednesday, after meeting with Democratic leaders who are wooing him to run for Senate in 2008.

Warner, who left office in early 2006 with the highest approval ratings of any governor, met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and also was seen talking with Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman and Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.).

Sen. John Warner (R) is up for re-election next year. He has not officially declared he will seek a sixth term but has indicated that he is likely to run again.

While Mark Warner is viewed as more likely to run in an open-seat scenario, a challenge to the iconic Senator is not out of the realm of possibility.

The two Warners faced off in 1996, with Mark Warner coming up 5 points short after spending more than $10 million of his own money on the race.

A DSCC spokesman declined to comment on the specifics of the committee’s recruiting efforts but praised Warner.

“Mark Warner is one of Virginia’s most respected public servants and would make an excellent candidate for the Senate,” Matt Miller said.
— Lauren W. Whittington