Mike Henry, Chief of Staff: Mike Henry most recently served as the Campaign Manager for Kaine’s campaign for U.S. Senate. Henry, a veteran of Virginia politics, previously managed Kaine’s gubernatorial campaign in 2005 and U.S. Senator Mark Warner’s 2008 campaign for Senate.  Mike has also worked in a number of policy roles, serving as a representative conducting case work for former U.S. Senator Chuck Robb and, more recently, as the Senior Director for U.S. Field Operations at the ONE campaign where he focused on strategies to alleviate global poverty.  

Jillian Martin, Transition Director: Jillian Martin most recently served as the Policy Director for Kaine’s campaign for U.S. Senate. Martin has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, having previously served on the staffs of U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Robert Byrd, and U.S. Representative Dan Maffei.

Marc Cheatham, Transition Scheduler: Marc Cheatham most recently served as the Scheduling Director for Kaine's campaign for U.S. Senate. Cheatham is a long-time member of Senator-elect Kaine's staff, serving as his executive aide at the Democratic National Committee and as Director of Constituent Services and Senior Assistant to the Governor for Policy in Kaine's administration.  Cheatham first began working for Kaine during Kaine's term as Lt. Governor after serving as a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant. 

“I am thrilled this team has agreed to assist me as we set up a Senate office that will serve all Virginians. Their expertise will be invaluable during this process,” said Kaine. “Mike has been a trusted member of my staff and advisor for years and I am excited he’s agreed to continue to serve the Commonwealth in this new role. I am additionally grateful Jillian and Marc have stepped in to lend their expertise to ensure a seamless transition as we set up offices in Washington and Virginia.”

Additional transition announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

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"The success of Rolls-Royce in Virginia and today’s expansion announcement are powerful reminders that a well-educated and highly-skilled workforce, coupled with world-class infrastructure, leads to economic success,” said Kaine. “Our incredible network of higher education institutions, including the Virginia Community College System, and infrastructure assets like the Port of Virginia were critical in recruiting Rolls-Royce to Virginia in 2007. This is great news for the Commonwealth and shows that manufacturing has a bright future in America. As senator, I will fight for investments in our workforce and our infrastructure that will continue to ensure our global competitiveness.”

In 2007, then-governor Kaine announced that Rolls-Royce planned to build a state-of-the-art aeroengine facility in Prince George County, investing $100 million initially with options to invest up to $500 million to support future advanced manufacturing projects. Virginia won the project after competition with several other states and international sites.

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"I am immensely proud of the leadership Brian has provided our party over the last two years. His commitment to engagement in all corners of the Commonwealth has made the party stronger and expanded our capacity to achieve success in every region of Virginia. Under Brian's leadership, the Democratic coordinated field effort this year exemplified the best of grassroots campaigning and will serve as a template for future campaigns.

"I am enormously grateful to Brian and his wife Karyn for their service to the Commonwealth and the Democratic Party.  Anne and I wish Brian the best in his future endeavors and know he still has many years of dedicated service to our Commonwealth to come."

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"Today, Anne and I join all Virginians in honoring our veterans. Their daily sacrifices over the generations have secured and maintained our freedom. We owe them gratitude and a focused effort to make sure that their patriotic service is reciprocated with appropriate care and support. It has been my honor to champion veterans initiatives as Governor, and I will do the same as Virginia's next U.S. Senator."

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Richmond Times-Dispatch: On the heels of his victory over George Allen, Kaine said Wednesday that his first order of business — even before taking office in January — would be to lobby for meaningful, long-term solutions to the nation's debt and deficit issues.

Richmond Times-Dispatch: At a news conference at his Richmond campaign office, Kaine echoed promises he made on the trail to reach across the aisle, build bridges and break gridlock...Kaine added that he hopes to continue retiring Sen. Jim Webb's work on military issues and sit on the Armed Services Committee. He said he plans to have a close working relationship with Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., his soon-to-be colleague.

Virginian-Pilot: With a hard-fought election behind him, newly minted U.S. Sen.-elect Tim Kaine on Wednesday pledged to find common ground with his new Washington colleagues on the nation's fiscal and policy challenges. A top priority is addressing the looming "fiscal cliff" - a combination of expiring tax breaks and deep cuts to federal domestic and defense spending set to take effect Jan. 2, before Kaine takes office.

Virginian-Pilot: Kaine said the election results affirm that once-reliably Republican Virginia is a true swing state. Referencing the millions in third-party spending against him, Kaine said the election victory is a triumph for "grassroots, person-to-person politics" over the influence of outside money. He also expressed optimism that the dysfunction that's hampered Congress will dissipate and said he will look for a freshman Republican senator to partner with.

Washington Post: Timothy M. Kaine said he plans to take his record of compromise to Washington as Virginia’s junior senator. “The key for us in public office is to read the message from the electorate,” Kaine told reporters at a briefing Wednesday, the day after he beat former governor George Allen in one of the country’s most watched Senate contests. “They want cooperative government. They are telling us over and over and over again they want us to work together.” Kaine said that over the coming days he plans to reach out to other freshmen headed to Congress to find common ground and begin to address the gridlock that has stagnated and vilified Washington.

NBC Washington: Sen.-Elect Tim Kaine urged Republicans and Democrats to work together and build consensus, a day after he defeated George Allen for a crucial Virginia Senate seat. During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Kaine stressed the need to find a solution to to the government's financial woes before the end of 2012. "I think there is a huge opportunity that has to be seized in Congress between now and the end of the year, to find a path forward so that we can avoid some of the catastrophic consequences of either deep sequestration cuts or willy-nilly expiration of all the Bush tax cuts," he said.

NBC Washington: While Kaine won't take office until January, he said he'll continue to advocate for bipartisanship, and that he had tried to remain positive and focused on Virginia's future during a bruising campaign. Voters "saw the targeting; they saw the negative ads but they wanted to embrace a positive message," Kaine said. During his term, he said, will focus on building infrastructure, elevating small businesses, and "making America the most talented place on earth."

Free Lance-Star: Virginia’s new U.S. senator-elect, Tim Kaine, said his first priority will be working to find bipartisan compromise on looming fiscal problems.

Free Lance-Star: At a Wednesday press conference in Richmond, Kaine—who beat Republican George Allen in the race Tuesday—said that while he won’t be in office until January, he hopes to encourage a lame-duck Congress to work to avert those upcoming budget cuts and tax increases. Kaine said he wants “to be part of a solution team” to get the nation’s “fiscal house in order.” “I’m going to continue to advocate a basic set of compromises,” Kaine said. Allowing the sequestration cuts and the tax-cut expirations to go forward, he said “would send a very bad signal” about Congress’ ability to work together and to repair the economy. Kaine made bipartisanship and compromise a centerpiece of his campaign and said the election results mean that the electorate wants lawmakers to find common ground.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/20034973/tim-kaine-divided-congress-makes-deal-making-a-must#ixzz2Be1mwNWI" style="color: #336699;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Associated Press: Sen.-elect Tim Kaine of Virginia says he believes Democrats and Republicans in Congress will come together to avoid the "fiscal cliff" threatening the country at year's end. Kaine, the former governor of Virginia who defeated Republican George Allen, tells NBC's "Today" show that voters sent a message to Washington demanding "cooperative government." But he also says the election results show that the public doesn't want "all the levers in one party's hands" on Capitol Hill.

WINA Radio: Lawmakers need to work together on fiscal cliff negotiations.  That's according to Senator-elect Tim Kaine, who says says lawmakers will have to put Americans first. Kaine says he thinks voters are forcing Washington to work together by electing a Democratic Senate and Republican House.

WSLS Roanoke: After a night of celebrating his victory over Republican George Allen, newly elected Virginia Senator Tim Kaine was ready to move past the election and get to work..He focused on his plans for the Senate including the looming a fiscal cliff, which Kaine calls a top priority even though the issue must be resolved before he's sworn into office in January. "I think the opportunity is a strong one that if Congress can find before year's end a way to avoid sequestration cuts that it can also be a springboard into the bigger picture about getting out fiscal house in order," Kaine said. That bigger picture is what Kaine hopes will help create an atmosphere of compromise in Washington once again.

WSLS Roanoke: Tim Kaine said he plans to add his voice to a "Common Ground Caucus" when he heads to the U.S. Senate...Kaine stressed multiple times his intent to work with Republicans, independents, and Democrats, and that he feels the American people sent a message to leaders in Washington.  That message, they want the government to work together, even though the seats of power are divided in Washington.

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Richmond, VA -Today, Anne Holton continued her 11-stop campaign swing on behalf of her husband, former governor and U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine, across Southwest Virginia. Holton attended the Buchanan County Democrats Lunch and Rally in Grundy, the Tazewell County Democrats Rally in Richlands, the Wise County Democrats Rally in Big Stone Gap, and the Dickenson County Democratic Potluck Supper and Rally in Clintwood, where she met with supporters and encouraged them to continue to talk to voters in their communities and work to get out the vote on Election Day.

“It is wonderful to see you all here today, ready to work hard and support Tim as we go into the home stretch of this race,” said Holton. “Outside groups think they can put more zeros on a check and make your efforts irrelevant—they have already spent more than $21.5 million on false, negative ads against Tim—but your hard work and grassroots support will prove them wrong on Election Day.”

At each event, Holton also shared Kaine’s balanced approach to reduce the deficit, create jobs, and strengthen the economy for the long term. As governor, Kaine worked across the aisle to cut more than $5 billion in spending, but also made important progress in key areas like infrastructure, workforce development, and education.

“As governor during the worst recession since the Great Depression, Tim understood that we needed a balance of necessary cuts and strategic investments to get the economy back on track,” said Holton.“During his term, Tim worked with members of both parties to pass a record higher education bond package and to expand pre-k enrollment by 40 percent. As our next senator, I am confident Tim will work to break through the Washington gridlock and continue to achieve results for Virginia families and move our economy forward.”

Yesterday, Holton completed the first seven stops of the 11-stop swing, which included visits to Salem, Christiansburg, Pulaski, Wytheville, Marion, Abingdon, and Honaker. Since the beginning of the year, Holton has traveled across Virginia talking with voters and sharing Kaine’s balanced approach to create jobs, develop a talented workforce, and strengthen the economy.

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Richmond, VA - Today, former governor and U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine continued his campaign closing tour of Virginia with economic and community events in Northern Virginia. In the morning, Kaine visited Northern Virginia churches for worship services at Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Centreville, First A.M.E. Church of Manassas, and Holy Family Catholic Church in Dale City. Following these visits with community members, Kaine visited Falls Church where he shared his economic strategies with some of the more than 100 small business owners in Eden Center.

“Small and startup businesses like those here in Eden Center are the backbone of our economy and powerful jobs creators,” said Kaine. “If we level the playing field for small and startup businesses and invest in the infrastructure and workforce they need to succeed we can create jobs and strengthen the economy right away while guaranteeing our competitiveness for the long term.”

Following the tour, Kaine held a rally with more than 100 friends and members of Northern Virginia’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Kaine spoke about the importance of attracting global talent to strengthen the nation’s economy, his commitment to quality educational opportunities, and the importance of grassroots energy in this race.

“In a global economy, each new Virginian and new American is another global connection that can strengthen our economy,” said Kaine. “I celebrate the rich tapestry that has made Virginia’s economy a national leader. As senator, I’m going to promote policies that return us to our position as the most talented nation in the world. That’s going to take investments and reforms in our education system, our workforce training, and our immigration policies. Border security is certainly important, but immigration policy should principally be about ensuring that we have the most talented workforce in the world.”

Kaine will continue his campaign closing tour across Virginia tomorrow with events in Norfolk with Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, Sterling with Vice President Joe Biden and Senators Webb and Warner, and Richmond with Vice President Biden, Senators Webb and Warner, and singer John Mellencamp. Yesterday, he joined President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton for a grassroots rally in Prince William County and held grassroots events in Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Falls Church. Kaine previously held events on his tour with Senator Mark Warner in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Wise, Bristol, Martinsville, Danville, and Emporia.

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Richmond, VA – Today, Anne Holton began her two-day swing across Southwest Virginia with a series of seven events to campaign for her husband, former governor and U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine.  Throughout the day, Holton rallied with voters across Southwest Virginia and shared Kaine’s strategies to responsibly reduce the deficit, create jobs, and strengthen the economy.

Holton spent the morning talking with voters in Salem and rallying supporters in Christiansburg and Pulaski.  Throughout the day, Holton outlined Kaine’s forward-thinking strategies to grow the economy and create jobs and encouraged supporters to get involved in the election.

“It is so inspiring to see so many of you here today ready to support Tim and talk to your friends and neighbors about his economic vision for Virginia,” said Holton. “Outside groups have already spent more than $21.5 million on false, negative advertisements attacking Tim, but I know that your hard work and support from now until Tuesday will make the difference for Tim on Election Day.”

Later in the day, Holton attended rallies in Wytheville, Marion, Abingdon, and Honaker where she highlighted Kaine’s strong record of working across the aisle to achieve results for Virginia families.  During his term, Kaine worked with members of both parties to cut more than $5 billion in spending and pass record investments in higher education, early childhood education, and workforce development.

“As governor during the worst recession since the Great Depression, Tim had to make some tough cuts to balance the budget, but he also left room for investments in key areas like education, health care, and infrastructure,” said Holton. “As our next senator, I know Tim will bring his bipartisan approach to Washington and continue to create jobs and strengthen our economy to move Virginia forward.”

Since the beginning of the year, Holton has traveled across the Commonwealth talking to voters to share Kaine’s Virginia-based strategies to create jobs and strengthen the economy for the long term.

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Richmond, VA - Former governor and U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine continued his campaign closing tour of the Commonwealth today by rallying grassroots support at stops in Richmond, Fredericksburg, Falls Church, and Prince William County.  Leading the final surge toward Election Day, Kaine urged volunteers to continue sharing with Virginia voters his positive vision for creating jobs and economic growth, balancing the budget responsibly, and breaking the partisan gridlock in Washington.  At each stop, Kaine contrasted his record of bringing people together to get things done for Virginia with George Allen's pattern of partisanship and fiscal irresponsibility.

“Everywhere I’ve gone on this campaign, Virginians want to know how I plan to strengthen the economy and create jobs, how we can fix our budget, and how we break through the partisan gridlock in Washington and find common ground,” said Kaine, kicking off a Richmond area canvass. “My strategy is to level the playing field for small and startup businesses and make the investments in brainpower, workforce development, and infrastructure that will create jobs immediately and keep us competitive in the 21st century economy. We’ve got to take a balanced approach to solving our deficit so we protect priorities like education and Medicare and can make investments to grow the economy. And we’ve got to put more people in Washington with a demonstrated track record of working across lines of division to get results.”

At his next stop in Fredericksburg, Kaine thanked volunteers and highlighted how they hold the power to determine outcome of the election.

“The other side thinks they can just write big enough checks and run enough negative ads to make all the grassroots work and energy irrelevant,” said Kaine. “I still believe in the power of the grassroots that has defined American politics. In a close election like this, every phone call and every door knock and every conversation could be the one that makes the difference.”

Kaine carried his positive bipartisan jobs message and people-powered momentum forward to Falls Church, where he spoke to more than 125 volunteers at the local OFA office and held a rally with more than 100 members and friends of the Latino community at Rubio's Palenque Restaurant.  There again, Kaine shared how his history of public service and record of bringing people together to solve problems will enable him to be a successful United States Senator who works to ensure all Virginians have good educational and economic opportunities.

"The things that matter to Latinos are the same things that matter to all Virginians - a strong economy, good schools, and expanded opportunity in all our communities,” said Kaine. “I would be honored to represent your community again as senator and won't hesitate to stand up for the issues you care about and ensure we embrace the talent of all Virginians to move our Commonwealth and country forward."

Later this evening, Kaine will join President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton for a grassroots rally at Jiffy Lube Live pavilion in Prince William County. Tomorrow, Kaine will attend services at three Virginia churches, and join supporters from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community for another Get-Out-The-Vote rally. As part of his closing campaign tour, he previously held events with Senator Mark Warner in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Wise, Bristol, Martinsville, Danville, and Emporia.

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"Kaine said it is the 'talent' of people, like those who work at Rosetta Stone, that will bring our country back to where it needs to be." [WHSV]

“Kaine pointed at some of his work in Southside from when he was governor — like funneling funding for the new Robertson Bridge and businesses Essel Propack and EBI — as example to how he would be bipartisan if elected to Senate.” [Danville Register and Bee]

"Former Gov. Timothy Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner stopped in Lynchburg on the Senate campaign trail Thursday to cheer on local Democratic campaign workers and brag about the successful Amtrak train that Kaine helped start."  [News Advance]

"Tim Kaine stopped at the Lynchburg train station to highlight his plan for investing in American infrastructure." [WDBJ]

Kaine "wants Virginians to convince others to support his campaign. A personal conversation is more likely to influence someone than a political ad, he said." [Bristol Herald Courier]

Richmond, VA - As part of his campaign closing tour of Virginia, Tim Kaine spent the last two days visiting 10 cities across the Commonwealth with Senator Mark Warner. The two traveled nearly 1,000 miles to tell Virginia voters why Kaine is the best candidate to create jobs, strengthen the economy, responsibly balance the budget, and break through the partisan gridlock in Washington.

During stops in Alexandria, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Wise, Bristol, Martinsville, Danville, and Emporia, Kaine spoke about his Virginia-based strategies to create jobs through investments in infrastructure, education, and workforce, as well as a more level playing field for small and startup businesses. He also advocated a balanced approach to deficit reduction that will protect key priorities and allow for investments that will grow the economy. Finally, he shared his commitment to finding common ground in Washington and bringing people together to get results.

Kaine’s tour will continue today with events in Richmond, Fredericksburg, Falls Church, and Prince William County. Some of the coverage from the tour’s first two days is below.

Alexandria Patch: Tim Kaine says there are still undecided voters to be had in the final days of his campaign for U.S. Senate, while the primary focus shifts toward getting out the vote on Tuesday… In the ad, Kaine promises to bring “more partnership and less partisanship to Washington” to reduce the debt, to invest in schools and small businesses and to grown the middle class and create jobs… Kaine said the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, which uses traditional boat building to help at-risk and disadvantaged youth acquire job skills and secure career-path jobs, is an example of improving what he calls the “talent” end of career and technical education programs.

Staunton News Leader:  The American military is becoming more of a “flexible force” than a “fixed force,” former governor and U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine told a crowd during a campaign stop Thursday. Kaine spoke on a wide range of issues for about 45 minutes for a town hall style gathering in the parking lot of Rosetta Stone, the language-learning software company started in downtown Harrisonburg… Kaine is vying for the Senate seat with Republican former governor George Allen in next week’s elections.

Daily News Record: Tim Kaine discussed talent development and growing global connections with Rosetta Stone employees Thursday, his final U.S. Senate campaign stop in the area before Tuesday’s election. The former Democratic governor brought Sen. Mark Warner, a longtime friend, law school classmate and fellow Democrat, with him for the town hall event at the downtown business…The best predictors of business success are talent and global connections, Kaine told employees outside Rosetta Stone, a language-learning software company that got its start in Harrisonburg and retains a significant workforce in the city. He mentioned the importance that Spanish, which he speaks fluently, has had on his life, including a mission trip to Honduras… Growing export opportunities and building relationships abroad — Dulles International Airport added daily service to Beijing while he was governor, he notes — are important to the Virginia economy, he said. “People are global connectors,” Kaine said.

Waynesboro News Virginian: Bolstered by a slight lead in recent polls, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine spent Thursday on a whirlwind tour of five cities in the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia, and central and western Virginia. Kaine offered thanks to campaign volunteers at a couple of the stops. Accompanying the former governor was his longtime friend and possible future U.S. Senate colleague, Mark Warner. “He will go to the Senate, roll up his sleeves and get things done,” Warner said of Kaine during a noontime stop at the language software company Rosetta Stone. Kaine and Warner met with the Rosetta Stone employees outside on a cool autumn day. Kaine told them that the keys to America’s future are developing the country’s talent and making global connections. He said the reason Virginia has risen to seventh in per capita income in the country is in part because “we embraced talent.”

WHSV: Senate Candidate Tim Kaine and Senator Mark Warner stopped by Rosetta Stone on Thursday. The two talked about the importance of making 'global connections' to build our economy. Kaine said it is the 'talent' of people, like those who work at Rosetta Stone, that will bring our country back to where it needs to be. "I'm a huge fan of the business model of the need for Americans to have language acquisition skills and all people to have multiple language fluencies. My ability to speak Spanish has been this wonderful dimension to my life and so I love what Rosetta Stone does." Kaine said the Senate race has been extremely close and their campaign still has five challenging days ahead.

NBC29: With just five days until Election Day, candidates are starting to make their last rounds.  Senate candidate Tim Kaine and Senator Mark Warner stopped in downtown Charlottesville. The Democrats wanted to thank the volunteers in Charlottesville's Organizing for America office.  They also encouraged supporters to keep pushing through to Election Day. "To talk to both the folks that we know are in our corner, just make sure that they can get to the polls and they have the information they need about where they're voting etc.," Kaine said.  "And then those that remain undecided, and we all know a few, I mean, we can all think of a few, trying to help them make up their mind."

Cavalier Daily: Senator Mark Warner and democratic Senate candidate Tim Kaine spoke at a rally Thursday afternoon at the Obama headquarters on the downtown mall. With five days left before election day, the politicians stressed the urgency of last-minute campaigns and encouraged supporters to remain strong in their efforts to sway undecided voters with one-on-one phone calls and door to door solicitations. Recent polls in Virginia have shown the presidential race virtually tied, although a Washington Post poll from Sunday showed Kaine with a seven point lead over former Republican Gov. George Allen, with a margin of error of 2.5 points. “Four years ago we changed the guard here…now we have to guard the change,” Warner said Thursday. If Obama wins the state of Virginia, he is statistically all but certain to win re-election.

The Hook:  Former governors Tim Kaine and Mark Warner stopped by Democratic headquarters on the Downtown Mall November 1 in a home-stretch push to elect Kaine to the U.S. Senate. "In five days now, he'll be the great new junior senator," said Senator Warner. "Even if I have to hear junior all the time, we'll be a great team," said Kaine. Kaine urged the party faithful crammed into and spilling out of the campaign headquarters to convert undecideds to the Dem ticket. "It's going to be really close," he said. "We feel a real surge in Virginia," said Fifth District congressional candidate John Douglass, who does not enjoy the same close polling that President Obama and Kaine do in Virginia. "They tend to make up their minds on congressmen last," observed Douglass.

Lynchburg News & Advance: Former Gov. Timothy Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner stopped in Lynchburg on the Senate campaign trail  Thursday to cheer on local Democratic campaign workers and brag about the successful Amtrak train that Kaine helped start. “I’m a huge rail fan,” Kaine told a dozen supporters who gathered on the platform of the Kemper Street Station in 49-degree weather for a news conference that also included Lynchburg councilwoman Joan Foster and former Del. Shannon Valentine. Kaine is locked in a close race with another former governor, George Allen, for the Senate seat Allen once held.

WDBJ: The race for Virginia's Senate seat was front and center in different parts of Lynchburg Thursday afternoon. Tim Kaine stopped at the Lynchburg train station to highlight his plan for investing in American infrastructure. Kaine talked about his work as governor to expand Amtrak service in Virginia. Amtrak is partially subsidized by government, but Kaine says the service is an investment that generates jobs and economic growth.

WSET: They have passionate ideas about the future of our country, strong supporters on each side, and millions spent on their campaigns, and they're not running for president. Lynchburg became the battleground for Virginia's U.S. Senate race Thursday. Tim Kaine stumped at the Kemper Street Station. George Allen's wife Susan spoke at Liberty University. After months of campaigning, this incredibly close race is winding down. Both campaigns are kicking it into the highest gear. While George Allen spent the day stumping with Mitt Romney in Roanoke, Tim Kaine had an important ally of his own.

Bristol Herald Courier: With political campaigns heading down the homestretch, the candidates and their parties are working hard to rally the troops. On Friday, area Democrats rallied at the Bristol Public Library with U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine, U.S. congressional candidate Anthony Flaccavento, state Sen. Phillip Puckett and others. About 100 people attended, giving the candidates a standing ovation as they walked into the room. “That is so helpful to me,” Kaine said of the crowd’s enthusiasm. “You are really tired after a 19-month ride. We had a great crowd at Wise. We have been seeing great crowds all over the place. I feel real good about it. … We are seeing good signs.” Puckett said everyone needs to convince others to vote and support Democratic candidates. “Turnout is the key,” he said.

Kingsport Times News: Virginia Democratic congressional candidates Tim Kaine and Anthony Flaccavento made their closing pitches to voters Friday during a rally at the Bristol Public Library. Kaine and Flaccavento did a joint campaign appearance with U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and state Sen. Phillip Puckett, D-Lebanon. Polls indicate that Kaine, a former governor and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is deadlocked with Republican George Allen in a race for Virginia’s U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Jim Webb. “This Senate race is about the closest one in the United States, and the presidential ballot in Virginia is just about the closest one in the United States,” Kaine told supporters. “The bad news is it puts pressure on us. The good news is your person-to-person effort over the next few days is going to have more of an impact in a close state than it would virtually everywhere else.” There are up to 150,000 undecided Virginia voters who are “waiting for a positive word from someone they trust,” Kaine said.

Danville Register & Bee: With four days before voters head to the polls, Democratic Senate candidate Tim Kaine made one last swing through the Dan River Region and brought his long-time friend, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., to rally the crowd for the Democratic ticket for Kaine, President Barack Obama and 5th District congressional candidate John Douglass. “I’ve known Tim Kaine for 32 years,” said Warner, who added he would be proud to have Kaine, his “good friend” serving beside him as Virginia junior’s senator. Kaine, Warner and Douglass addressed about 60 supporters at the Danville Democratic headquarters before they went to phone bank and help get out the vote. Kaine pointed at some of his work in Southside from when he was governor — like funneling funding for the new Robertson Bridge and businesses Essel Propack and EBI — as example to how he would be bipartisan if elected to Senate.

WDBJ: There's less than four days left until the election. Friday democratic candidates are on the home stretch, campaigning across the state. Senator Mark Warner and former Governor Tim Kaine made a quick stop in Danville Friday afternoon. The pair visited the democratic headquarters to rally support…Both Warner and Kaine started campaigning Friday morning in western Virginia and ended in the eastern part of the state.

WSET: Democratic Candidates Kick Off Phone Bank in Danville—Democratic candidates are revving up voters in Danville. Tim Kaine, Mark Warner and John Douglass were all at the Danville Democratic Headquarters Friday. They kicked off a phone bank to get people to vote…The candidates made stops at several areas in the Commonwealth Friday and will make their last stop in Emporia.

South Hill Enterprise: Gov. Kaine and Gov. Mark Warner — now U.S. Senator Mark Warner — will be in attendance at a rally for Kaine for U.S. Senate in Emporia at 6:15 p.m. at the Democratic field office, 425 South Main St., Emporia. According to the announcement sent to the I-M by the Kaine campaign, the former governors will be here to “tell the voters why he [Kaine] is the best candidate to create jobs, strengthen the economy, responsibly balance the budget, and break through the partisan gridlock in Washington.”

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