• Republican John Warner is currently serving his fifth term in the Senate. He is the senior Senator from Virginia and the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

• Fast Facts:

  1. Born: Feburary 18, 1927 in Washington, D.C.
  2. Assumed office: January 2, 1979
  3. Party: Republican
  4. Spouse: Jeanne Vander Myde (3rd wife)
  5. Alma mater: Washington and Lee University
  6. Previous Occupation/Position Held: Attorney
  7. Second wife was actress Elizabeth Taylor
  8. Served in World War II and the Korean War

• Early Life

  Prior to entering politics, Warner served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. In 1972, President Richard Nixon appointed Warner Undersecretary of the Navy.

• 1978 Senate Run

  In 1978, Warner, then married to actress Elizabeth Taylor, sought the Republican nomination for the Senate seat vacated by William L. Scott. Warner lost the primary bid to Richard D. Obershain, but after Obershain's death in a plane crash, Warner was chosen as the GOP's nominee. Warner won the general election and has held the seat ever since.

• Recent Political Career

  After the Republican Party won the House and Senate in 1994, Warner became the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. In 1999, he became the powerful Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Warner decided not to seek re-election in 2008.

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