ELECTION 2024: In third-term Senate bid, Democrat Tim Kaine faces Republican challenger Hung Cao

By Nick Caffacus, Summer Deciucis, Katie Farthing, Alyssa Hutton, Aria Lovelace and Cruz Walden, Capital News Service

Virginia has two U.S. senators who serve six-year terms, with one seat up for grabs on Nov. 5.

There are three Senate “classes” that determine elections and terms, with one-third of senators taking the oath of office at the start of each two-year Congress.

Class I senators were elected to office in the November 2018 general election, unless they took their seat through appointment or special election, according to the U.S. Senate. They were sworn in for the 116th Congress on Jan. 3, 2019 and their term ends on Jan. 3, 2025.

There are a total of 33 Senate seats up for election, along with one special election. Democrats currently hold the Senate majority, but political analysts say it will be hard to keep control of the chamber. Republicans are on track to win at least 51 Senate seats, which would give them the majority, according to The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine faces Republican challenger Hung Cao for the available Virginia seat.

Kaine is a former civil rights lawyer who has represented Virginia in the Senate since 2013. His other political experience includes governor from 2006-2010; lieutenant governor from 2002-2006; and city of Richmond mayor from 1998-2001. He chaired the Democratic National Committee from 2009-2011.

Kaine was also the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2016. He responded partially to the Capital News Service voter guide survey.

Cao is a retired U.S. Navy captain who served for 25 years. He is an adviser with Polaris National Security. Cao is making his second bid for office, after unsuccessfully running for the 10th congressional district seat in 2022. He responded partially to the voter guide survey.

The candidates were contacted in early September and given a month to complete the guide. Once that deadline passed, they were asked to respond to four questions by an Oct. 6 print deadline and they did. Reporters followed up to let them know they could complete the remaining questions for digital display, but neither responded.

The below questions were completed using research from legislative and financial records, campaign websites, press releases, interviews, debate transcripts, balanced news reports and social media. The answers are intended to provide a voter with a quick overview of the candidate’s stance on multiple issues.

If elected … Three ways you will work with Congress to prioritize Virginians’ needs?

KAINE: “First, I cast one of the deciding votes to pass the American Rescue Plan, which helped usher the strongest jobs recovery on record and the world’s best economic recovery. This legislation expanded the Child Tax Credit, a tax cut for working families that benefited 1.7 million Virginia children and cut child poverty to its lowest rate ever. It also expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit for 417,000 Virginia workers, providing them with up to $1,500 of relief. I am working to bring back both of those tax cuts and make them permanent. I will keep working hard to lower costs, especially for hardworking families. We’ve increased federal support to bring down child care costs and I have a far-reaching bipartisan bill to supercharge existing tax credits for parents and employers that can be used to expand child care.

“Second, as a former fair housing attorney, I know that we must expand access to homeownership, which is a key part of the American dream. I have introduced the Housing Supply and Affordability Act to address the nationwide housing shortage by creating a competitive grant program to increase housing supply and affordability, and the Fair Housing Improvement Act to protect low-income families and veterans from housing discrimination based on their source of income. Moreover, my LIFT Homebuyers Act would help first-time, first-generation homebuyers build wealth much more quickly by offering new homeowners a 20-year mortgage for roughly the same monthly payment as a traditional 30-year loan, and my bipartisan Housing Supply and Affordability Act would help address the nationwide housing shortage by creating a competitive grant program to increase housing supply and affordability.

“Finally, we must codify Roe and ensure that women have the right to make their own reproductive choices. Virginia is the last state in the South without an extreme abortion ban, and I will never stop fighting against efforts to implement a national abortion ban so women can make their own health care decisions without interference from out-of-touch politicians. After the Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision, I introduced the bipartisan Reproductive Freedom for All Act, which would enact the core holdings of Supreme Court cases, including Roe v. Wade, which established and affirmed the rights to abortion and contraception. My bill is the only bipartisan proposal currently before Congress that would codify Roe v. Wade as a national protection of reproductive freedom.”

CAO: “Secure the border, secure the border, and secure the border. Everything flows from there. It is a national security concern because we have millions of people who should not be here, including terrorists, gang members, and run-of-the-mill criminals.

“We’re paying a billion dollars a day to feed and house illegal aliens in this country. We’re taking care of them better than we’re taking care of Americans. There are thousands of Americans that are homeless right now due to Hurricane Helene, and we need to put them into hotels and get room service instead of giving it to illegal aliens.

“Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Tim Kaine spent billions of taxpayer money for disaster relief to feed and house illegal immigrants, and now American families in need have been left out to dry. America needs change and change will not come from a 30-year career politician like Tim Kaine who is asking to stay in office until 2030 to fix everything he was responsible for ruining. As your Senator, I will always fight for Virginia."

Border/Immigration: Support pathway to permanent residency for Temporary Protected Status persons?

KAINE: Defends Temporary Protective Status and “DACA.” Is against mass deportation and voted for a bipartisan bill to secure the border and fight the fentanyl crisis. Legal immigration is crucial for the workforce. Address “root causes of migration.”

CAO: Believes a strong border is important to the country’s safety. Supports mass deportation. Encourages legal immigration and denounces “illegal aliens.” Says Biden administration placed a “welcome sign on the Mexican border.”

Cyber security: How to strengthen U.S. cybersecurity?

KAINE: U.S. national security is top priority and should be a bipartisan effort. Co-sponsored RESTRICT Act to review and prohibit certain U.S. transactions with foreign adversaries. Secured federal funding for higher education cybersecurity initiatives.

CAO: Wants to secure American data from threats such as the Chinese Communist Party; aims to restrict access to applications coming from “U.S. adversaries.”

Data centers: Ways to improve energy efficiency of data centers, which have proliferated in Virginia?

KAINE: “While data centers fall under the jurisdiction of state and local officials in Virginia, I remain focused on bringing good-paying jobs to the Commonwealth. During my time in the Senate, I've introduced several bills to expand job training and upskilling programs and help fill the high-demand jobs of the future in tech sectors — including in data centers. At the same time, building an economy that works for everyone also requires taking steps to protect communities from noise pollution, water loss, and negative environmental consequences.”

CAO: Opposed converting 2,200 farmland acres in Prince William into data centers. Suggested to repurpose zones already allocated for industrial use, first. No response to a news outlet’s question about balancing economic benefits of data centers with environmental and community impact.

Economy: Ways to improve Virginians’ access to good jobs, and combat inflation?

KAINE: Voted for Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to benefit the state’s shipbuilding industry and economy. Introduced bill to enhance job training in certain infrastructure companies.

CAO: U.S. energy independence could help drive down cost of living. Wants to protect American jobs and products against foreign “unfair trade practices.” Proposed using Defense Production Act funds to create 2,500 rural jobs manufacturing latex gloves.

Education: Do you support charter schools/school choice?

KAINE: “We’re leaving too many educators in the dust right now.” Secured $15 million for Richmond Public Schools to improve infrastructure and $5 million for Virginia schools.

CAO: Give power back to parents. If parents think a child’s education is not up to their standards, including for ideological reasons, they should be able to choose a different school.

Elections: Should Congress strengthen campaign finance laws?

KAINE: Supports strengthening campaign finance laws. Co-sponsored bill last year requiring candidates to note foreign finance support. Would stop “illicit super PAC money.”

CAO: Criticized “dark money” donors, and said special interest groups try to influence the government through PACs.

Environment: How could infrastructure help offset climate change in Virginia?

KAINE: Introduced bill to facilitate stormwater management systems on military bases to help offset flooding and bill to make flood-prone areas more resilient. Supports investing in renewable offshore wind and solar energy. Co-sponsored bills to allow for more public input with gas pipeline permits.

CAO: Needs “a lot more data about climate change” to be convinced and said it’s arrogant to believe people can damage God’s creation. Says Virginia must invest in American-made energy including natural gas, nuclear power, wind and solar.

Equality: Do you support federal discrimination protections?

KAINE: Co-sponsor of bill to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Sponsored Protecting LGBTQ Youth Act. Sponsored resolution apologizing for discrimination of LGBTQ+ government employees.

CAO: A “hyper-focus” on race and gender is “destroying years of work that ensured equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, sex and religion.” Against expanding Title IX protections, because he doesn’t want his daughters “to compete against a man.”

Federal deficit: Priority spending plans and ways to reduce deficit?

KAINE: “The federal government can and must make strong investments in areas like health care, child care, housing, and manufacturing — while also managing deficits responsibly. For example, I proudly cast one of the deciding votes to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which was not only the largest clean energy investment ever, but is also projected to reduce the federal deficit by $238 billion over a decade. Moreover, I am leading the charge for a "Medicare X" plan, which would establish a Medicare exchange public option in every county in America, providing an additional, affordable option in all communities. Additionally, this plan would save the federal government $20.3 billion due to lower premium tax credits as a result of lower provider payment rates and prescription drug price negotiation.”

CAO: "For one thing, we need to stop spending hundreds of billions of dollars on people who shouldn't even be here. We can address so many problems in our country by simply refusing to spend American tax dollars on illegal aliens and sending them back where they came from. As an immigrant to this country, let me be the first to say: don't ask for the American dream if you are not willing to obey the American laws. I did. I love this country so much that I wrote a blank check up to and including my life with my twenty-five years of service in the United States Navy."

Health Care: Do you support the Affordable Care Act? How would you lower Medicare drug costs?

KAINE: Voted for Inflation Reduction Act, which lowers prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients, caps monthly insulin costs and provides access to some vaccines for free. Introduced Medicare-X Choice Act, to expand health care access and allow choice between private or public insurance.

CAO: Wants medical industry to “innovate and compete in order to drive down costs.” There aren’t enough choices when government runs health care: “Medicare for all is Medicare for none.”

Housing: How would you create more affordable housing for Virginians?

KAINE: Supports low-income housing tax credit, and the Harris plan to help with down payments for first-time homebuyers. Secured $98 million for affordable housing in Virginia. Supported legislation to fix mortgage rates for first-time homebuyers, increase housing supply and affordability and prohibit income-based discrimination.

CAO: Lack of border security makes housing costs higher. Biden administration spends “a billion dollars a day on illegal immigrants” and needs to prioritize Americans so they aren’t “competing for housing.” Preservation of “existing way of life” is important when discussing housing.

Infrastructure: What are Virginia’s key infrastructure needs?

KAINE: Supported the federal infrastructure bill to invest in roads, bridges, rail, water and broadband. Helped secure $277 million to repair Arlington Memorial Bridge. Earmarked billions toward affordable housing infrastructure in the proposed federal budget.

CAO: “First and foremost, I am concerned about developers threatening our way of life as Virginians. We have incredible natural beauty, but our communities are also surrounded by history and hallowed ground. We need local leaders who will draw a line in the sand where appropriate to ensure that growth does not outpace our infrastructure, while at the same time protecting taxpayers. We cannot place the burden on Virginia taxpayers alone to finance infrastructure development solely for the benefit of out-of-state developers who have decided to convert Virginia farmland into townhomes or data centers. I am also concerned about electric vehicle mandates that will force heavier vehicles onto our roads, without a charging infrastructure or a way to deal with the increased wear and tear on our roads and highways, not to mention the impacts on our already struggling electrical grid in Northern Virginia especially.”

Israel-Hamas war: Response to Israel’s actions in Gaza?

KAINE: Supports funding Israel and also protection of civilian life in Gaza. Co-sponsored legislation with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for Hamas to stop using human shields. Received over $640,000 since 2012 from pro-Israel donors. Supports blocking select weapons transfers to Israel.

CAO: Calls Oct. 7 attacks “Israel’s 9/11” and denounces Hamas. It is important to support Israel but is against giving “blanket amounts of money” that could be better used in America.

Labor: Support unions organizing/administrative cuts for federal workers?

KAINE: Believes labor unions are important and co-sponsored a bill to expand protections for employees’ rights to collectively bargain. Against Trump’s promise to remove federal workforce, says it jeopardizes jobs and livelihoods of civil servants and would undermine Virginia’s economy.

CAO: Against a federal bill that gave $1 trillion to infrastructure, because he said it prioritized unions. At the debate, avoided a direct response on how to broker a deal with the International Longshoremen’s Association over their strike. Supports Trump’s proposal to move over 100,000 federal positions out of D.C., saying Virginia “may very well be a net beneficiary.”

Marijuana: State or federal issue?

KAINE: Co-sponsored legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. Veterans should have access to medical marijuana prescriptions. Co-sponsored SAFE Banking Act, which would help state-legal cannabis companies gain access to financial services.

CAO: Marijuana legislation should be up to states but wants it to remain illegal at the federal level to keep military personnel and aviation workers from being “on drugs” while flying planes.

Postal Service: How to prevent further service delays and disruptions and bring the U.S. Postal Service up to standard so that Virginians receive important mail on time.

KAINE: “Mail delays and disruptions impacting Virginians for over a year have been unacceptable. I have worked with members of our congressional delegation to press USPS on mail delays and disruptions impacting Virginians in the Richmond region. We receive regular updates from U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who is working hard to address delays. We will continue to hold DeJoy and the USPS to account.

“While we have been glad to see some gains in the on-time delivery rate in Virginia, there’s much more work to do. We will continue to press for increased transparency, greater engagement with the public, and a higher standard of service for communities across Virginia.”

CAO: “Virginians, especially those in rural parts of the Commonwealth, rely on the U.S. Postal Service to pay their bills, get prescriptions, and send mail to friends and family. For more than thirty years, Congress has been siphoning off millions of dollars of revenue made by the USPS to pay for their pet projects, the same way they have been doing with Social Security. This causes manpower shortage which leads to delays in delivering the mail. USPS has had to make up for this deficit by contracting out for Amazon and forcing their letter carriers to work on Sundays, I understand that this is a concern for many in our region and I will do everything in my power as Virginia's next U.S. Senator to stop this process of “franking the mail” and ensure there is transparency and Virginians receive their mail on time.”

Reproductive Health: Codify abortion, access to contraception, IVF and other assisted reproductive technology services?

KAINE: Introduced Reproductive Freedom For All Act to codify abortion. Voted in support of Right to Contraception Act and Right to IVF Act and is against a national abortion ban. Should not “demonize women and doctors.”

CAO: “Life begins at conception.” Was “thrilled” when Roe v. Wade was overturned. Supports access to IVF, but government should not pay for it. Says he would vote against a Senate bill to limit contraception access.

Student Debt: Do you support student loan relief?

KAINE: Reduce student loan debt and make college and job training more affordable. Public Student Loan Forgiveness established under former President George W. Bush is a “powerful strategy to lift costs off people’s shoulders and provide an incentive to go into public service.”

CAO: Claims Biden was trying to “buy votes” and could have spent money on border security and homeless veterans. He said it’s unfair “some kids get a free ride.” Would bring interest rates to zero.

Taxes: Do you believe a higher corporate tax rate hinders or helps economic growth?

KAINE: Lower costs and cut taxes for Virginia families, specifically veteran and military families. Co-sponsored resolution for tax cuts for middle-class families, that would be paid for by “fair share” tax on ultra-wealthy and billion-dollar corporations. Will restore child tax credit.

CAO: Signed a pledge not to raise taxes for the American people. Supports Trump’s tariff plan on imported goods that economists say will pass increased costs to consumers.

Congressional races

There are 435 U.S. House of Representatives seats in Congress up for election. Republicans currently have control of the House.

Virginia Voters will have one of 11 U.S. House races on the ballot, depending on where they live. In Virginia, there are two strong-Republican districts, three Republican-leaning districts, four strong-Democratic districts and two competitive Democratic districts, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Only three of the House races have no incumbent on the ballot: Districts 5, 7 and 10.

View this map to determine which district you live in, or enter your zip code here, and then select the corresponding candidate overview listed here.

What could happen: Republicans currently hold a majority in the House. But the race to control the House is very competitive, according to the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. You can read its analysis here.

Local races

There are other local races, depending on where a voter will cast their ballot. There are over 1,100 local races throughout the state, including mayoral, city council, school board and sheriff positions. This database is easily searchable by locality or position. Just type a query into the search bar.

Sept. 20: Early voting begins
Oct. 16: Same day voter registration begins, which requires use of a provisional ballot.
Oct. 25: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail. Applications must be received by the general registrar by 5 p.m. and can be submitted online, through mail or fax, or in person.
Nov. 2: Last day to vote early.
Nov. 4: Last day to request, by 2 p.m., an emergency absentee ballot, if voters meet eligibility requirements.
Nov. 5: Election Day; with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nov. 8: All mailed ballots, and a form of identification for those who use a provisional ballot, must be received by noon.

Early voting

Early voting began Sept. 20 and ends on Nov. 2. Each locality has its own early voting location, and some have more than one. For all early voting and ballot dropbox information, contact the general registrar’s office for the jurisdiction where you are registered. Closer to the election, most localities add weekend voting and open more locations. Check with your registrar and vote in the locality where you are registered.

Absentee Voting

People can request to receive a ballot by mail, but keep in mind the deadline. The U.S. Postal Service extended the time frame for first class and standard delivery. It can now take up to five days for a ballot sent first class to arrive, or nine days for standard delivery. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is Oct. 25. Applications must be received by the general registrar by 5 p.m. and can be submitted online, through mail or fax, or in person.

Voters can check with their local registrar’s office to determine where an official drop box is located for returning ballots.

Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the registrar’s office by noon on Friday, Nov. 8. Ballots can also be dropped off on Election Day.

Polling Place

Early voters will go to the place designated by the locality’s registrar. Use the Virginia Department of Elections website to check for your polling place to vote on Election Day, Nov. 5.

Acceptable identification

Voters need to have one form of identification. Any DMV-issued ID card, including expired IDs, are accepted. U.S. military, tribal and student IDs, along with passports, are also accepted.

Voters can also use documents such as a current utility bill if it has their name and address. The full list of acceptable identification can be found on the Department of Elections website.

A person without acceptable identification can still vote, but will be given a provisional ballot and is required to submit valid identification by noon on Nov. 8 to have the vote counted.

Election results

Use the Virginia Public Access Project, or VPAP, for election returns and to track early vote data, including by congressional district. The Virginia Department of Elections also trackstrends, turnout and voting returns.

Candidate fundraising and spending

VPAP provides information on Virginia candidates, donors and even a zip code lookup to see who is donating near you. OpenSecrets tracks money and its impact on elections and public policy.

Fact checking websites

Help avoid the spread of misinformation with the sites below.

Politifact: Check headlines and candidate statements for accuracy.
Snopes.com: Check rumors and questionable claims heard on the internet.

Media bias

Allsides Media Bias checker: Don’t be fooled by media bias and/or disinformation. Check to see if a media organization, think tank or nonprofit has a political leaning.