Kaine coasts to reelection in Virginia

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) coasted into his second term in the Senate on Tuesday, beating controversial Republican challenger Corey Stewart.

Kaine, who has deep roots in Virginia from years of holding public office, had far surpassed Stewart in fundraising in the race, which the Cook Political Report had rated a “solid” Democratic one. 

“THANK YOU, VIRGINIA!” Kaine tweeted shortly after his victory was called. “We have to keep Virginia moving forward and put our country back on the right track. That starts now!” 

THANK YOU, VIRGINIA!

In the Senate, I’ll always listen to you. I’ll take your ideas and values to Washington, and keep fighting to solve your problems. We have to keep Virginia moving forward and put our country back on the right track. That starts now! https://t.co/iQ2YKBAVxq

— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) November 7, 2018

Stewart, the head of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, garnered controversy last year during his bid for the GOP nomination for governor when he pledged to protect Confederate monuments and remove undocumented immigrants residing in the state.

{mosads}In a race that saw Republican strategists worried that Stewart’s controversial profile could stymie GOP voter turnout, Kaine’s swift victory could bode well for Democrats as polls close across the nation.

Kaine was Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s running mate during the 2016 presidential election. He also served as mayor of Richmond, as well as lieutenant governor and governor in Virginia.