Government | Politics | Lobbying 2025: KAINE, U.S. SEN. TIM

Labeled by supporters as “America’s Dad” for his level-headed, folksy and sometimes wonky demeanor, Democrat Kaine has been a fixture in Virginia politics since his 1994 election to Richmond City Council. From there, he became Richmond mayor, then Virginia’s lieutenant governor and governor. His 2006-10 term in the Executive Mansion was marked by both the Great Recession and the Virginia Tech shooting that left 32 dead.

The Kansas City native and attorney became Virginia’s junior senator in 2013 and was re-elected for a third term in 2024. In 2016, Kaine was Hillary Clinton’s running mate in her unsuccessful presidential bid.

In the Senate, Kaine serves on the Armed Services, Budget, Foreign Relations, and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committees. With fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, Kaine has taken aim at President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, as well as federal employee layoffs and cuts to government services, including Medicaid. In May, Kaine’s resolution that would have blocked Trump’s global tariffs narrowly failed in the Senate.

A Catholic, Kaine has said he is personally against abortion but has voted to support women’s reproductive rights.

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