--- title: "Warner vs. Mizusawa: 2026 Virginia Senate race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-senate-va" updated: "2026-08-05" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Virginia Senate race: Mark Warner (D) vs. Bert Mizusawa (R) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 5, 2026 Incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Warner faces Republican nominee Bert Mizusawa, a retired Army Major General and former CIA senior advisor, in the 2026 Virginia U.S. Senate election. The race hinges on Warner's 17-year Senate record on infrastructure, technology manufacturing, and national intelligence versus Mizusawa's military leadership, foreign policy background, and conservative fiscal platform. ## Candidates - **Mark Warner** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://markwarnerva.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Warner) - **Bert Mizusawa** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://bertforsenate.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bert_Mizusawa) ## Issues ### Economy, Taxes, and Fiscal Policy Salience: high Warner emphasizes middle-class relief and housing supply investments funded by progressive tax reform, whereas Mizusawa focuses on curbing federal spending and simplifying the tax code with fewer brackets. **Mark Warner:** Supports middle-class tax relief and housing reform Warner advocates for lowering middle-class living costs by expanding housing supply, permitting reform, and easing mortgages for first-time buyers. He calls for a fairer tax code that rewards labor over wealth while criticizing corporate tax cuts and foreign tariffs. - Proposes expanding housing supply by encouraging structure rehabilitation, accelerating permitting, and assisting first-time buyers - Advocates for child care labor solutions to reduce household child care costs - Voted in favor of the No Tax on Tips Act and opposed the 2025 Republican reconciliation act > “We need an economy that rewards work, not just wealth.” > — Mark Warner, via [Campaign site](https://markwarnerva.com/) > “Americans are feeling the squeeze. Prices are rising, health care is getting more expensive, and we’ve got a tax system that favors the wealthiest over working families.” > — Mark Warner, via [Campaign site](https://markwarnerva.com/) **Bert Mizusawa:** Supports spending cuts and tax simplification Mizusawa pledges to bring federal spending under control and focus the government on core functions to tackle national debt. He advocates simplifying the tax code through larger standard deductions and fewer tax brackets. - Pledges to control excessive spending and limit government to core constitutional functions - Proposes a simpler tax code with fewer brackets and larger standard deductions - Identifies the U.S. monetary system as a primary public policy passion > “I support a simpler tax code with fewer brackets and larger standard deductions.” > — Bert Mizusawa, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bert_Mizusawa) > “I will focus government on its core functions and bring excessive spending under control.” > — Bert Mizusawa, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bert_Mizusawa) ### National Security and Defense Salience: high Warner highlights his legislative leadership on intelligence and high-tech supply chain protection, while Mizusawa emphasizes his 41-year combat military career and authorship of the Trump foreign policy doctrine. **Mark Warner:** Promotes defense technology and China counter-strategy Warner focuses on advancing U.S. security leadership in key emerging technologies like AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, he authored the CHIPS and Science Act to secure domestic semiconductor supply chains and counter Chinese economic aggression. - Authored the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to restore domestic semiconductor manufacturing - Leads Intelligence Committee efforts countering Chinese technological and supply chain aggression - Voted in favor of the FY2026 and FY2024 National Defense Authorization Acts and foreign military aid > “Mark has led bipartisan efforts to counter the Chinese government’s technological and economic aggression – from securing supply chains to cracking down on foreign investments that threaten U.S. national security.” > — Mark Warner, via [Campaign site](https://markwarnerva.com/) **Bert Mizusawa:** Advocates pro-military policies and efficient defense A retired Major General and West Point valedictorian, Mizusawa positions himself as an authoritative advocate for military readiness and defense budget efficiency. He authored the Trump foreign policy doctrine and served as senior advisor to the CIA Director. - Highlights 41 years of military service, four combat tours, and promotion to Major General - Authored the Trump doctrine for foreign policy and served as CIA senior advisor - Pledges to promote efficient defense spending and pro-military policies in the Senate > “Will be highest ranking officer and must highly decorated. Combat veteran in US Senate. Will be av respected, authoritative voice on national security policy and efficient defense spending.” > — Bert Mizusawa, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bert_Mizusawa) ### Border Security and Immigration Salience: medium Warner demonstrates his border record through votes for statutory detention of criminal offenders, while Mizusawa calls for strict border security paired with mandatory cultural assimilation for legal immigrants. **Mark Warner:** Supports targeted enforcement and legal detention Warner supports targeted immigration enforcement measures, including voting for federal legislation requiring detention of non-citizens arrested for property crimes. - Voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act to require DHS detention of non-citizens arrested for burglary, theft, or shoplifting > “The Laken Riley Act (S.5) was a bill passed by the 119th Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) on 1/29/2025, which required the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain individuals residing in the United States without legal permission who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting...” > — Mark Warner, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Warner) **Bert Mizusawa:** Supports strict border security and legal assimilation Mizusawa advocates for strict border security while simplifying lawful immigration for individuals willing to assimilate. He emphasizes uniform law enforcement across the nation. - Calls for securing borders while facilitating legal immigration for those seeking the American dream - Requires legal immigrants to assimilate to the American way of life - Pledges uniform enforcement of immigration laws > “We must keep our borders secure while making legal immigration for those seeking the American Dream an easier process.” > — Bert Mizusawa, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bert_Mizusawa) > “We are a nation of laws and must enforce the law uniformly” > — Bert Mizusawa, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bert_Mizusawa) ### Gun Policy Salience: medium Warner supports banning assault weapons and implementing universal background checks, whereas Mizusawa opposes any new restrictions on firearm ownership. **Mark Warner:** Supports assault weapon bans and background checks Warner advocates for gun violence prevention laws, supporting bans on assault weapons and mandatory universal background checks while preserving basic gun ownership rights. - Supports assault weapon bans and expanding background checks to curb gun violence - Voted against a congressional resolution nullifying ATF criteria on stabilizing firearm braces > “He believes that Americans have the right to own guns, but that we need commonsense solutions like banning assault weapons and background checks to keep our communities safe.” > — Mark Warner, via [Campaign site](https://markwarnerva.com/) **Bert Mizusawa:** Opposes restrictions on firearm ownership Mizusawa strongly supports Second Amendment rights, framing firearm ownership as critical to individual freedom and citizen self-defense. - Pledges to defend constitutional rights to citizen self-defense - Opposes legislative efforts infringing on gun ownership rights > “I will defend our rights to citizen self-defense and fight any effort to infringe on that right.” > — Bert Mizusawa, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bert_Mizusawa) ### Energy and Infrastructure Salience: medium Warner focuses on clean-energy job creation and corporate accountability for AI grid demands, whereas Mizusawa champions expanding nuclear power to lower household electricity bills. **Mark Warner:** Supports clean energy and infrastructure investments Warner co-authored the bipartisan infrastructure law to expand high-speed internet and transportation across Virginia. He champions clean energy investments and calls on AI companies to contribute to grid energy demands. - Primary author of bipartisan infrastructure legislation funding broadband and transit projects across Virginia - Supports clean-energy jobs and demands AI corporations address their electrical grid energy usage > “He has also championed clean-energy projects that are creating thousands of jobs and building a stronger, more competitive economy.” > — Mark Warner, via [Campaign site](https://markwarnerva.com/) **Bert Mizusawa:** Supports expanding nuclear power production Mizusawa advocates bringing new nuclear power facilities online to reduce energy costs for households, describing modern nuclear energy as safe, clean, and cheap. - Supports deploying modern nuclear power technology to lower electricity costs - Frames nuclear energy as safe, cheap, reliable, and clean > “I support bringing new nuclear power on-line to slash the ever-increasing energy costs for American households.” > — Bert Mizusawa, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bert_Mizusawa) ### Government Reform and Term Limits Salience: low Warner highlights his bipartisan legislative record and electoral reform work, while Mizusawa attacks Warner for running for a fourth term despite an earlier two-term pledge. **Mark Warner:** Supports electoral integrity and bipartisan cooperation Warner negotiated the revised Electoral Count Act to protect presidential election certification. He highlights his record of authoring 85 bipartisan bills signed into law by presidents of both parties. - Helped pass the Electoral Count Act revision clarifying election certification limits - Highlights 85 sponsored bills signed into law under both Democratic and Republican administrations > “Mark helped negotiate and pass a revised Electoral Count Act to make clear that the Vice President does not have the power to overturn the will of the people when Congress is certifying the presidential election.” > — Mark Warner, via [Campaign site](https://markwarnerva.com/) **Bert Mizusawa:** Supports term limits and strict legal enforcement Mizusawa criticizes Warner for seeking a fourth term despite earlier promises to serve no more than two terms, advocating for fresh leadership and uniform law enforcement. - Criticizes Warner for violating his earlier pledge to serve no more than two Senate terms - Emphasizes judicial professionalism and uniform law enforcement > “Mark Warner promised to serve “no more than two terms” in the U.S. Senate and is now running for a FOURTH term!” > — Bert Mizusawa, via [Campaign site](https://bertforsenate.com/) ### Healthcare Salience: medium **Mark Warner:** Supports strengthening ACA and lowering drug prices Warner helped write the Affordable Care Act and continues to support strengthening its protections. He championed insulin cost caps, lower prescription drug prices for seniors, and expanded toxic exposure medical care for veterans under the PACT Act. - Helped author the Affordable Care Act and fights to extend ACA premium tax credits - Supported capping insulin prices and lowering prescription costs for seniors - Supported the PACT Act to expand VA healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits > “Mark helped cap the price of insulin, lower prescription drug costs for seniors, and is fighting to extend tax credits that make healthcare more affordable for the middle class.” > — Mark Warner, via [Campaign site](https://markwarnerva.com/) **Bert Mizusawa:** No documented position in our sources ### Abortion and Reproductive Rights Salience: medium **Mark Warner:** Supports constitutional protection for abortion rights Warner supports federal and state constitutional protections for abortion rights, criticizing the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. He supports Virginia state amendments protecting abortion, marriage equality, and voting rights. - Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Virginia NOW PAC - Supports passing a Virginia constitutional amendment to guarantee abortion access > “2026 is a critical year for abortion access in Virginia because voters will have an opportunity to constitutionally protect abortion access in the Commonwealth. Mark will work to ensure this amendment passes...” > — Mark Warner, via [Campaign site](https://markwarnerva.com/) **Bert Mizusawa:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/virginia-senate-election-winner) — Virginia Senate Election Winner: Democrats 99.0%, Republicans 1.5% - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/virginia-republican-senate-primary-winner) — Virginia Republican Senate Primary Winner: Republicans 100.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/SENATEVA-26) — Virginia Senate winner?: Mark Warner 98.8%, Bert Mizusawa 2.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXSENATEVAR-26) — Virginia Republican Senate nominee?: Bert Mizusawa 99.9%, Jason Miyares 2.1%, Chuck Smith 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-senate-va)