As he runs for a third term in the U.S. Senate, Kaine says he has dedicated his life to helping others

Work experience: Worked as a civil rights attorney for 17 years

Government experience: Richmond City Council, Mayor of Richmond, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Governor of Virginia, U.S. Senator for Virginia

Training: BA from the University of Missouri, JD from Harvard Law School

Profession: U.S. Senator for Virginia

Military experience: no

Family: married to Anne Holton, three children

Place of residence: Richmond

Why are you running for re-election to the U.S. Senate?

“I have dedicated my life to helping others as a missionary, civil rights attorney and public servant. I have traveled across the Commonwealth listening to Virginians about the issues that matter most to them, whether it's creating good-paying jobs or protecting our lives. I know there is more work to be done to make health care more affordable, to ensure the safety of Virginia's citizens and to work to reduce everyday costs, protect democracy and protect our freedoms. I am running for re-election to continue to stand up for Virginia against those who would tear us down or hold us back. I would be honored to win your vote.

What would be your top three priorities if elected?

“The economy, affordable housing and healthcare are issues I hear about across Virginia.

“I have proudly helped pass legislation to create good-paying manufacturing jobs, boost the green energy sector and rebuild our infrastructure, but we must do more. Our American Rescue Plan ushered in the strongest jobs recovery ever and expanded the child tax credit, benefiting 1.7 million children in Virginia and reducing child poverty to its lowest level ever. Now I'm working to roll back this tax cut and make it permanent. To strengthen our economy, we must also pass a comprehensive immigration reform package that will secure our border and allow companies to hire more skilled workers.

“In 2017, I cast a decisive vote to preserve the Affordable Care Act, protecting health care for 1.3 million Virginians with pre-existing conditions. In 2022, I helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce prescription drug costs. In the aftermath.” Because of the Dobbs decision, I introduced the only bipartisan bill in Congress that would guarantee all women the freedom to make their own reproductive decisions.

“I have spent my entire career, including 17 years as a fair housing attorney, fighting for fair housing and working to reduce housing costs in Virginia. My LIFT Homebuyers Act would help first-generation homebuyers accelerate wealth creation through homeownership.” We need to pass this and put this into law.”

How have you helped the people of Virginia during your previous terms in office?

“I have worked hard for the citizens of Virginia for 30 years, starting when I was a city councilman in Richmond and now serving as one of Virginia’s U.S. Senators.”

“I was the key vote in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, which lowers health care costs for Virginia families by capping the cost of insulin at $35 per month and capping out-of-pocket costs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D By lowering health insurance premiums for more than 300,000 Virginia residents with marketplace insurance, the IRA also strengthens the clean energy sector by creating good-paying jobs and combating climate change.

“I was also proud to be the tie-breaking vote for passage of the American Rescue Plan, which advanced the child tax credit that benefited 1.7 million children in Virginia, including more than 200,000 children living below the poverty line. The ARP also cut taxes for more.” More than 400,000 Virginia residents were supported, renters were helped to stay in their homes, and high-speed internet was expanded to nearly 80,000 Virginia homes.

“I know how important transportation is to Northern Virginia, which is why, during my term as governor, I ensured that the Silver Line was planned, financed, contracted for and under construction. I am thrilled that the Silver Line extension to Dulles is complete – providing rail service to our international gateway, access to more jobs and economic opportunities, and a reduction in traffic congestion.

“Since my time as mayor of Richmond, I have always tried to make education a priority. As mayor, I helped build four new schools. My three children are products of the Richmond public school system and we are proud of the public school system.”

“As governor, I helped Carillion Health and Virginia Tech open a medical school and research campus in Roanoke, ushering in a new chapter of innovation and jobs. I have also played a key role in passing bipartisan legislation like the Every Student Succeeds Act to reduce student enrollment. I emphasize standardized testing and give states more flexibility, and I push for reforms like my JOBS Act, which strengthens career and would promote technical education by expanding Pell Grant eligibility for job training programs.

“Several key provisions of my Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act have been enacted, including improving the quality of CTE programs, connecting more middle school students to CTE, and encouraging high schools to offer courses that better meet the needs of the modern working world and career preparation.”