Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) announced Friday that he would not seek re-election in 2008. Warner, the former Navy secretary who has served in the Senate since 1978, is 80 years old — and the second-longest serving Senator from the Old Dominion.

His departure sets up what is bound to be one of the marquee Senate races of the 2008 election cycle. Rep. Tom Davis (R) and former Gov. Jim Gilmore (R) are expected to battle for the Republican nomination. Democrats are hoping to recruit former Gov. Mark Warner (D) into the race.