RICHMOND, Va. - Former Gov. Mark Warner announced Thursday that he will run next year for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Sen. John Warner, who is retiring after 30 years in office.

Democrat Mark Warner, 52, ended speculation about his political future in a video e-mailed to supporters and media.

"Our country is at a crossroads," Warner said on the video. "We're dealing with a mismanaged war. Our stature in the world is declining. We have no national competitiveness plan, and no thoughtful approach on energy policy that would actually create jobs, make us more secure in the world, and that deals with the threat of climate change."

The former governor "? who is not related to the senator "? ended his four-year term with high approval ratings in January 2006. Unable to seek re-election because of Virginia's unique ban on consecutive terms for governors, he turned his attention to a possible presidential bid but decided not to run.

He could have sought a second term as governor after a four-year hiatus, a move favored by some of his supporters, but decided on a second Senate race instead. He had already challenged John Warner in 1996.

"People in Virginia and, I think, across the country, ... they want to see things get done "? from health care to energy to competitiveness to how we make America truly more secure in this world," Warner said after announcing his candidacy.

"Iraq's important, but it shouldn't be the only issue that dominates ... our national debate," Warner said.

With John Warner retiring, Rep. Tom Davis and former Gov. Jim Gilmore are potential Republican contenders for the Senate seat. Both said they will decide whether to run later this fall. Other than Mark Warner, no other Democrats have publicly expressed interest in the seat.

Republicans narrowly lost control of the Senate last fall, in part because of the loss in Virginia of Republican Sen. George Allen. They must defend 22 of the 34 seats on the ballot in November 2008.

Mark Warner, who earned millions in the telecommunications business before he turned to politics, is among a few prominent Democrats whom party officials have been recruiting for Senate races. Others are former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen and former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey, who have not announced their plans.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee posted a video on a Web site, DontMarkWarner.com, with a clip from an ad Warner ran in his 2001 gubernatorial race in which Warner says, "I will not raise taxes." The video then notes that the state raised taxes $1.4 billion during his tenure as governor.

"Listen, I am anxious to talk about my record as governor," Warner said. "Some of these national folks coming in with these attacks "? it's classic Washington. An hour into the campaign and they're already whaling away


(Note--posting this as news. If we want to discuss it, please do so in the political forum)