U.S. Senate, Virginia · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in the Virginia U.S. Senate race?
Mark Warner has the strongest record in the Virginia U.S. Senate race. Mark Warner scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Bert Mizusawa at 61, as of October 5, 2026. Mark Warner's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Bert Mizusawa's highest marks are accountability and relevant experience. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican
Bert Mizusawa
61 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 56
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
Democratic · incumbent
Strongest record
Mark Warner
On the ballot as Mark R. Warner
63 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- 69
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Bert Mizusawa
- On the record2026-09-10
Accepted AARP Virginia's invitation to the Oct. 7, 2026 televised debate, which AARP canceled on Sept. 10, 2026 after the incumbent could not commit.
Sources: Cardinal News, Sept. 10, 2026, The Center Square via Yahoo News, Sept. 11, 2026
- On the record2016
Was a senior national security adviser on Donald Trump's first presidential campaign in 2016.
Sources: Cardinal News, June 19, 2026, Cardinal News, Sept. 22, 2026
- Credit1984-11-23
Awarded the Silver Star as an Army captain for exceptional valor and gallantry while commanding the Joint Security Force Company at Panmunjom, Korea, on Nov. 22 and 23, 1984.
Sources: Military Times Hall of Valor, Bert Mizusawa, Ballotpedia, Bert Mizusawa, candidate survey
- Credit1979 to 2020
Served as an Army Airborne Ranger, first commander of the Army Reserve's cyber command, Deputy Under Secretary of the Army and senior adviser to the CIA director, retiring as a major general.
Sources: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 28, 2026, WVVA, Aug. 1, 2026
Mark Warner
- Mark against2021-09-09
The FEC closed administrative fine case AF 4223 against his committee, Friends of Mark Warner, on Sept. 9, 2021 with a final fine of $2,781 over a 2020 48-hour notification report.
Source: FEC administrative fines search, Friends of Mark Warner
- On the record2026-09-10
AARP Virginia canceled its Oct. 7, 2026 televised Senate debate after his campaign said he could not commit, citing an unsettled official Senate calendar; his opponent had accepted.
Sources: Cardinal News, Sept. 10, 2026, The Center Square via Yahoo News, Sept. 11, 2026, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 10, 2026 summary on the Sept. 28 election page
- On the record2024-07-05
In July 2024 organized Democratic senators to meet with President Biden and ask him to leave the presidential race, as reported by WTOP and NBC News; Biden withdrew on July 21, 2024.
Sources: WTOP, July 5, 2024, NBC News, July 5, 2024
- On the record2021-01-06 to 2021-01-07
Voted Nay on the Jan. 6, 2021 objection to Arizona's presidential electors and the Jan. 7, 2021 objection to Pennsylvania's electors.
Sources: GovTrack, Senate Vote 1, Jan. 6, 2021, GovTrack, Senate Vote 2, Jan. 7, 2021
- Credit2023
Ranked 23 of 98 senators on the Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index for 2023 with a score of 0.55539.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, 2023 Senate scores
- Credit2009 to 2026
GovTrack counts 25 enacted bills he sponsored, most recently the PBM Reporting Transparency Act and the Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025.
Source: GovTrack, enacted legislation
- Credit2005
Virginia earned the best grades and an A- in Governing magazine's 2005 Government Performance Project, run with the Pew Center on the States, while he was governor.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Bert Mizusawa. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found. Senate candidate financial disclosure could not be opened.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Mark Warner. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 15, 2026. One FEC administrative fine on the committee (AF 4223, $2,781, closed Sept. 9, 2021) is scored under criterion 10. Senate financial disclosures could not be opened.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, Friends of Mark Warner
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Bert Mizusawa. No public record found.
Mark Warner. In July 2024 organized fellow Democratic senators to ask President Biden to leave the presidential race, as reported by WTOP and NBC News.
Sources: WTOP, July 5, 2024, NBC News, July 5, 2024
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Bert Mizusawa. Accepted AARP Virginia's invitation to the Oct. 7, 2026 televised debate, which AARP later canceled. Spoke back to back with his opponent at the Buena Vista Labor Day event on Sept. 7, 2026. A virtual forum with both candidates was announced for Oct. 7.
Sources: Cardinal News, Sept. 10, 2026, The Center Square via Yahoo News, Sept. 11, 2026, 13NewsNow, Oct. 5, 2026, headline and summary as shown in the Bing News RSS feed
Mark Warner. AARP Virginia canceled its Oct. 7, 2026 televised debate after his campaign could not commit, citing the Senate calendar. Gave a Labor Day speech alongside his opponent in Buena Vista. A virtual forum with both candidates was announced for Oct. 7.
Sources: Cardinal News, Sept. 10, 2026, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 10, 2026 summary on the Sept. 28 election page, The Center Square via Yahoo News, Sept. 11, 2026, 13NewsNow, Oct. 5, 2026, headline and summary as shown in the Bing News RSS feed
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Bert Mizusawa. Retired Army major general who says he served 41 years including four combat tours, and served as Deputy Under Secretary of the Army. No censure, reprimand or conduct finding found in the sources opened.
Sources: WVVA, Aug. 1, 2026, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 28, 2026
Mark Warner. Governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006 and U.S. senator since Jan. 6, 2009. No censure, reprimand or conduct finding found in the sources opened.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Bert Mizusawa. Career Army officer who retired as a major general, with a Silver Star citation for action at Panmunjom in 1984. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
Sources: Military Times Hall of Valor, Bert Mizusawa, WVVA, Aug. 1, 2026
Mark Warner. Voted Nay on the Jan. 6, 2021 objection to Arizona's electors and the Jan. 7, 2021 objection to Pennsylvania's electors. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Sources: GovTrack, Senate Vote 1, Jan. 6, 2021, GovTrack, Senate Vote 2, Jan. 7, 2021
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Bert Mizusawa. Retired Army major general, first commander of the Army Reserve's cyber command, former Deputy Under Secretary of the Army and senior adviser to the CIA director. Has not held elected office.
Sources: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 28, 2026, Ballotpedia, Bert Mizusawa, candidate survey
Mark Warner. U.S. senator since Jan. 6, 2009, now in his third term and seeking a fourth, after one term as governor of Virginia (2002 to 2006).
Sources: GovTrack, Mark Warner, WTOP, Dec. 2025
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Bert Mizusawa. Publishes positions in general terms on fiscal responsibility, affordability, the military, health care and energy, with one specific proposal to ban congressional stock trading.
Sources: Campaign site, Issues, Ballotpedia, Bert Mizusawa, campaign website excerpt
Mark Warner. Vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the Finance, Banking, Budget and Rules committees. Introduced a package of artificial intelligence bills in July 2026 with requirements for data centers.
Sources: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 28, 2026, GovTrack, Mark Warner
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Bert Mizusawa. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey, answered written questions from the Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and publishes an issues page.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Bert Mizusawa, The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press, Sept. 23, 2026, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 28, 2026, Campaign site, Issues
Mark Warner. Answered written questions from the Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press (Sept. 23, 2026) and the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Sept. 28, 2026). Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press, Sept. 23, 2026, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 28, 2026, Ballotpedia, Mark Warner
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Bert Mizusawa. Says he grew up in Hampton Roads. FEC by-state totals for the 2026 cycle show about 35 percent of itemized individual contributions from Virginia.
Sources: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press, Sept. 23, 2026, Virginia Department of Elections, Nov. 3, 2026 federal candidate list, FEC contribution totals by state
Mark Warner. Elected governor of Virginia in 2001 and senator since 2009, a statewide public life of more than 20 years. FEC by-state totals for the 2026 cycle show about 36 percent of itemized individual contributions from Virginia.
Sources: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sept. 28, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Bert Mizusawa. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found. Led military units and a federal contracting firm, sizes not stated in an independent source.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, Campaign site, About
Mark Warner. The FEC closed administrative fine case AF 4223 against Friends of Mark Warner on Sept. 9, 2021 with a $2,781 fine over a 2020 48-hour notification. As governor, Virginia received an A- in the 2005 Pew Government Performance Project.
Sources: FEC administrative fines search, Friends of Mark Warner, PolitiFact Virginia, April 7, 2011
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Bert Mizusawa. No public record found.
Mark Warner. Center for Effective Lawmaking Senate data rates him Meets Expectations for the 118th Congress (LES 2.0 of 0.882 against a benchmark of 1.521). GovTrack counts 25 enacted bills as primary sponsor, including the PBM Reporting Transparency Act.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking Senate dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress (Warner VA row, 118th), Center for Effective Lawmaking, data download page, GovTrack, enacted legislation
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Bert Mizusawa. No public record found.
Mark Warner. Missed 199 of 6,203 roll call votes, 3.2 percent, from January 2009 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Bert Mizusawa. No public record found.
Mark Warner. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Bert Mizusawa. No public record found.
Mark Warner. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of 0.55539 for 2023, the latest posted Senate scores, ranked 23 of 98 senators scored.
Sources: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, 2023 Senate scores, Lugar Center press release, May 14, 2024
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Bert Mizusawa. No public record found.
Mark Warner. Virginia received an A- grade and the best grades in Governing magazine's 2005 Government Performance Project while he was governor, per PolitiFact Virginia's review of the Pew report.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Virginia U.S. Senate race?
Mark Warner has the strongest record in the Virginia U.S. Senate race. Mark Warner scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Bert Mizusawa at 61, as of October 5, 2026. Mark Warner's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Bert Mizusawa's highest marks are accountability and relevant experience. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Virginia U.S. Senate race in 2026?
Bert Mizusawa (Republican), Mark R. Warner (Democratic, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Bert Mizusawa a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Bert Mizusawa scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 56 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Mark Warner a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Mark Warner scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance 69 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Virginia race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Virginia 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.