Tim Kaine

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Tim Kaine
BornTimothy Michael Kaine
26 2, 1958
BirthplaceSaint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, lawyer
Known forU.S. Senator from Virginia, 70th Governor of Virginia, 2016 Democratic vice-presidential nominee
EducationHarvard Law School (J.D.)
Children3
Website[https://www.kaine.senate.gov Official site]

Timothy Michael Kaine (born February 26, 1958) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as a United States Senator from Virginia since January 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Kaine has built a political career spanning more than three decades, rising from a seat on the Richmond city council to the national stage as Hillary Clinton's running mate in the 2016 presidential election. Before entering the Senate, he served as the 70th Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010 and as the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006. He also served as chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011. Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, Kaine graduated from the University of Missouri and earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Before entering electoral politics, he practiced law in Richmond, where he handled fair housing and civil rights cases, and taught at the University of Richmond School of Law. In the Senate, Kaine has served on the Foreign Relations Committee, the Armed Services Committee, and the Budget Committee, where he has focused on issues including military authorization, foreign policy, and executive power. He won reelection to a second Senate term in 2018, defeating Republican Corey Stewart, and secured a third term in 2024, defeating Republican Hung Cao.[1]

Early Life

Timothy Michael Kaine was born on February 26, 1958, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City.[2] Kaine has Irish American heritage, a background that has been the subject of media attention over the course of his political career.[3][4]

Kaine was raised in a Roman Catholic household, and his Catholic faith has remained an important part of his personal identity throughout his life and political career. During his time at Harvard Law School, Kaine took a break from his studies to spend nine months working with Jesuit missionaries in Honduras, an experience that deepened both his faith and his fluency in Spanish. The time in Honduras, where he worked on technical education projects, has been described as a formative experience that shaped his worldview and his later interest in public service and Latin American affairs.[5][6]

Kaine's upbringing in the Kansas City area and his early experiences in Central America contributed to a political sensibility that combined social justice concerns rooted in Catholic social teaching with a pragmatic approach to governance. His bilingual ability in English and Spanish would later become a notable feature of his public persona, including during the 2016 vice-presidential campaign, when he frequently addressed audiences in Spanish.[7]

Education

Kaine attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, where he completed his undergraduate education. He subsequently enrolled at Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.[8] During his time at Harvard, Kaine interrupted his legal studies to spend nine months in Honduras working with Jesuit missionaries, an experience that influenced his subsequent career choices.[9]

After completing his law degree, Kaine entered private legal practice in Richmond, Virginia, where he specialized in civil rights law, particularly fair housing cases. He also became a lecturer at the University of Richmond School of Law, where he taught legal ethics.[10] His dual role as a practicing attorney and legal educator positioned him within Richmond's civic and professional community in the years before he entered politics.

Kaine was also a participant in the Coro Fellows Program, a leadership training program focused on public affairs, and has been recognized as a notable alumnus of that program.[11]

Career

Early Political Career: Richmond City Council and Mayor

Kaine's entry into electoral politics came in 1994, when he won a seat on the Richmond city council, representing the 2nd district. He succeeded Benjamin P.A. Warthen in the position and served on the council from July 1, 1994, through September 10, 2001.[12]

In 1998, Kaine was elected mayor of Richmond by his fellow council members, succeeding Larry Chavis as the 76th mayor of the city. He held the mayoral position from July 1, 1998, until September 10, 2001, when he departed to take up higher office. During his tenure as mayor, Kaine dealt with the governance challenges of a city grappling with economic development, urban revitalization, and racial dynamics in a historically significant Southern capital.[13] Kaine's background as a civil rights attorney informed his approach to governance in Richmond, where issues of race and equity were central to municipal politics. His tenure on the city council and as mayor established his reputation as a consensus-building figure within Virginia Democratic politics.

Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

In 2001, Kaine ran for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia on a ticket with gubernatorial candidate Mark Warner. He won the election in a competitive race, edging out Republican Jay Katzen for the state's second-highest office.[14] He succeeded John H. Hager in the position and served as lieutenant governor from January 12, 2002, to January 14, 2006, during Mark Warner's gubernatorial administration.

As lieutenant governor, Kaine served as president of the Virginia Senate and used the position to raise his statewide profile. The role, while constitutionally limited in formal powers, provided Kaine with a platform from which to build relationships across the state and to position himself for a gubernatorial run. His service under Warner, who was a popular governor, helped Kaine build credibility as part of a Democratic administration that had managed the state's finances and economic development in a manner that drew bipartisan approval.[15]

Governor of Virginia

Kaine was elected the 70th Governor of Virginia in 2005, succeeding Mark Warner. He took office on January 14, 2006, and served until January 16, 2010, with Bill Bolling serving as his lieutenant governor.[8]

During his time as governor, Kaine addressed a number of significant issues facing the Commonwealth. In 2007, the Virginia General Assembly, with Kaine's support, passed a resolution expressing "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery, making Virginia one of the first states to issue such an apology. The measure generated considerable legislative debate and national attention.[16]

Kaine also delivered the commencement address at the University of Virginia's final exercises for the Class of 2006, an honor that reflected his position as the state's chief executive.[17]

Virginia's constitution prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms, meaning Kaine was ineligible to run for reelection in 2009. He was succeeded by Republican Bob McDonnell in January 2010.

Chair of the Democratic National Committee

In January 2009, Kaine was selected as chair of the Democratic National Committee by President Barack Obama, succeeding Howard Dean. He served in the role from January 21, 2009, to April 5, 2011, when he was succeeded by Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Kaine's chairmanship of the DNC overlapped with the final year of his governorship and continued after he left the governor's mansion. In the role, he was responsible for the national organizational infrastructure of the Democratic Party during a period that included the 2010 midterm elections, which saw significant Democratic losses in Congress.[8]

United States Senate

2012 Election

In 2012, Kaine ran for the United States Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Jim Webb. He faced former Virginia governor and senator George Allen in the general election. The race was one of the most closely watched Senate contests of the cycle, and Kaine won, securing his first term in the Senate.[18] He took office on January 3, 2013, succeeding Webb and joining his former gubernatorial colleague Mark Warner in representing Virginia in the Senate.

Senate Committee Assignments and Legislative Focus

In the Senate, Kaine has served on several committees, including the Foreign Relations Committee, the Armed Services Committee, and the Budget Committee.[19][20] His committee assignments have placed him at the center of debates over military authorization, war powers, international alliances, and fiscal policy.

Kaine has been a consistent advocate for congressional authority over the use of military force, arguing that presidents should obtain authorization from Congress before committing American forces to conflict abroad. This position has led him to challenge executive actions related to military engagement under both Democratic and Republican administrations. In February 2026, Kaine released a statement regarding what he characterized as threats of unauthorized military action against Iran, reaffirming his position that only Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war.[21]

On foreign policy, Kaine has been active in supporting the AUKUS agreement, a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In February 2026, as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he completed a week of official meetings in Australia focused on the AUKUS agreement and shared national security priorities.[22]

Kaine has also addressed domestic issues affecting Virginia. In February 2026, he and Senator Mark Warner released a joint statement regarding redistricting efforts in Virginia, reflecting their ongoing engagement with state-level governance matters.[23] The two senators also issued a statement regarding the Department of Justice's firing of the interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia[24] and responded to the final National Transportation Safety Board report on the midair collision at DCA.[25]

2018 and 2024 Reelections

Kaine was reelected to a second Senate term in 2018, defeating Republican nominee Corey Stewart. In 2024, he won a third term, defeating Republican Hung Cao. His successive reelections reflected his continued electoral strength in Virginia, a state that had shifted from a competitive battleground to one that leaned Democratic in statewide races during the period of his Senate tenure.

2016 Vice-Presidential Nomination

On July 22, 2016, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton introduced Kaine as her vice-presidential running mate. He was formally nominated for the vice presidency at the 2016 Democratic National Convention on July 27, 2016.[26]

Kaine's selection was viewed in part as a choice that reinforced Clinton's emphasis on governing experience and bipartisan credentials. His profile as a former governor, his fluency in Spanish, his Catholic faith, and his reputation as a centrist Democrat were among the factors cited in media analyses of the selection. During the campaign, Kaine participated in the vice-presidential debate against Republican vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence and campaigned extensively in swing states.[27]

Despite winning a plurality of the national popular vote, the Clinton–Kaine ticket lost the Electoral College to the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and Mike Pence on November 8, 2016. Following the election, Kaine returned to his duties in the United States Senate.

Continued Senate Service (2025–present)

Following his reelection in 2024, Kaine continued serving in the Senate in the 119th United States Congress. In February 2026, he announced his guest for the 2026 State of the Union address delivered by President Donald Trump, maintaining the tradition of senators inviting constituents or policy advocates to the annual address.[28]

Personal Life

Kaine is a Roman Catholic, and his faith has been a consistent element of his public identity. His time spent with Jesuit missionaries in Honduras during law school was a defining personal experience that shaped both his religious practice and his approach to public service.[29] He has spoken publicly about the influence of Catholic social teaching on his political philosophy, particularly on issues of social justice and the common good.

Kaine has three children. He has lived in Richmond, Virginia, for much of his adult life, having established roots in the city during his years as a civil rights attorney and law professor before entering politics.[8]

Kaine is fluent in Spanish, a skill he acquired during his time in Honduras. He has used his language ability in public settings, including on the floor of the United States Senate, and during the 2016 presidential campaign, where he frequently addressed Spanish-speaking audiences in their language.[30]

Kaine has discussed his life and career in various public forums, including a detailed appearance on C-SPAN in which he discussed the arc of his personal and professional journey.[31]

Legacy

Kaine's political career spans a trajectory that is notable for its steady progression through multiple levels of government — from city council to mayor, lieutenant governor, governor, national party chair, vice-presidential nominee, and U.S. senator. His career in Virginia politics has coincided with the state's political transformation from a reliably Republican state in presidential elections to a competitive and then Democratic-leaning one.

As governor, Kaine's support for Virginia's 2007 slavery apology resolution placed the Commonwealth at the forefront of a national conversation about historical accountability. As a senator, his focus on war powers and congressional authority over military action has positioned him as one of the chamber's most vocal advocates for legislative prerogatives in foreign policy, a stance he has maintained across administrations of both parties.

Kaine's selection as the 2016 Democratic vice-presidential nominee marked him as one of the most prominent figures in the national Democratic Party during a period of significant political realignment. His continued service in the Senate, including his reelection to a third term in 2024, has sustained his influence on foreign policy, national security, and Virginia governance into the mid-2020s.

His background as a civil rights attorney, combined with his Catholic faith and his experience in Latin America, has given him a distinctive profile within the Democratic caucus — one that blends social justice advocacy with a reputation for moderation and bipartisan engagement.[32]

References

  1. ↑ "Governor Tim Kaine".National Governors Association.http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_virginia/col2-content/main-content-list/title_kaine_tim.default.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Who is Timothy M. Kaine?".The Virginian-Pilot.http://pilotonline.com/news/who-is-timothy-m-kaine-archive-profile-from-oct/article_12e66b93-a389-5c10-9a66-9c27213ce006.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Five Irish Americans who could be Hillary Clinton's Running Mate".IrishCentral.http://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/niallodowd/Five-Irish-Americans-who-could-be-Hillary-Clintons-Running-Mate-.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Kaine's Strong Irish Roots".Irish America Magazine.2016-08.http://irishamerica.com/2016/08/kaines-strong-irish-roots/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "15 things you need to know about Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine".The Dallas Morning News.2016-07-22.http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20160722-15-things-you-need-to-know-about-clinton-s-running-mate-tim-kaine.ece.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Tim Kaine: Running for Senate".National Catholic Reporter.https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/tim-kaine-running-senate.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "15 things you need to know about Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine".The Dallas Morning News.2016-07-22.http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20160722-15-things-you-need-to-know-about-clinton-s-running-mate-tim-kaine.ece.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Governor Tim Kaine".National Governors Association.http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_virginia/col2-content/main-content-list/title_kaine_tim.default.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "15 things you need to know about Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine".The Dallas Morning News.2016-07-22.http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20160722-15-things-you-need-to-know-about-clinton-s-running-mate-tim-kaine.ece.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "For a Professor and His Pupil, Politics Align".Loudoun Times.http://www.loudountimes.com/news/article/for_a_professor_and_his_pupil_politics_align534.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Notable Coro Alumni".Coro.http://coro.org/about-us/notable-coro-alumni.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Who is Timothy M. Kaine?".The Virginian-Pilot.http://pilotonline.com/news/who-is-timothy-m-kaine-archive-profile-from-oct/article_12e66b93-a389-5c10-9a66-9c27213ce006.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "What's a Nice Guy Like Tim Kaine Doing in a Job Like This?".Style Weekly.http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/whatandaposs-a-nice-guy-like-tim-kaine-doing-in-a-job-like-this/Content?oid=1383040.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Kaine Edges Out Katzen for State's No. 2 Office".The Washington Post.2001-11-07.https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/11/07/kaine-edges-out-katzen-for-states-no-2-office/bec3db88-a2ae-450a-9eae-b52395c284bb/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Is Kaine Able?".Style Weekly.http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/is-kaine-able/Content?oid=1385212.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Slavery apology measure ignites legislative debate".The Daily Progress.http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/slavery-apology-measure-ignites-legislative-debate/article_e84bedbc-c63f-5a01-951e-9b26fc1365d8.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine to Address University of Virginia's Class of 2006 Final Exercises".University of Virginia.https://news.virginia.edu/content/virginia-gov-tim-kaine-address-university-virginia%3Fs-class-2006-final-exercises-sunday-may.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "What's a nice guy like Sen. Tim Kaine doing in a race like this?".The Washington Post.2016-07-13.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/whats-a-nice-guy-like-sen-tim-kaine-doing-in-a-race-like-this/2016/07/13/f7965652-47a3-11e6-bdb9-701687974517_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Kaine Statement on Trump's Threat of Illegal War with Iran".Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.2026-02-20.https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-trumps-threat-of-illegal-war-with-iran.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Kaine Welcomes Supreme Court Ruling Against Trump's Abuse of Tariff Powers".Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.2026-02-20.https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-welcomes-supreme-court-ruling-against-trumps-abuse-of-tariff-powers.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Kaine Statement on Trump's Threat of Illegal War with Iran".Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.2026-02-20.https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-trumps-threat-of-illegal-war-with-iran.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Photos: Kaine Completes Week of Official Meetings in Australia in Support of AUKUS Agreement and Shared National Security Priorities".Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.2026-02-23.https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/photos-kaine-completes-week-of-official-meetings-in-australia-in-support-of-aukus-agreement-and-shared-national-security-priorities.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Warner & Kaine Statement on Redistricting Effort in Virginia".Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.2026-02-22.https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-statement-on-redistricting-effort-in-virginia.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Warner & Kaine Statement on DOJ Firing of Interim U.S. Attorney for EDVA".Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.2026-02-21.https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-statement-on-doj-firing-of-interim-us-attorney-for-edva.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Warner & Kaine Statement on Final NTSB Report into DCA Midair Collision".Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.2026-02-20.https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-statement-on-final-ntsb-report-into-dca-midair-collision.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "What's a nice guy like Sen. Tim Kaine doing in a race like this?".The Washington Post.2016-07-13.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/whats-a-nice-guy-like-sen-tim-kaine-doing-in-a-race-like-this/2016/07/13/f7965652-47a3-11e6-bdb9-701687974517_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Tim Kaine: Vice President Boring?".Newsweek.http://europe.newsweek.com/tim-kaine-vice-president-boring-480693?rm=eu.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Kaine Announces Guest to 2026 State of the Union".Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.2026-02-24.https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-announces-guest-to-2026-state-of-the-union.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "Tim Kaine".Catholic Sentinel.http://www.catholicsentinel.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=35&ArticleID=7736.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "15 things you need to know about Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine".The Dallas Morning News.2016-07-22.http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20160722-15-things-you-need-to-know-about-clinton-s-running-mate-tim-kaine.ece.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  31. ↑ "Senator Tim Kaine Discusses Life & Career".C-SPAN.https://www.c-span.org/video/?410707-1/senator-tim-kaine-discusses-life-career.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  32. ↑ "What's a nice guy like Sen. Tim Kaine doing in a race like this?".The Washington Post.2016-07-13.https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/whats-a-nice-guy-like-sen-tim-kaine-doing-in-a-race-like-this/2016/07/13/f7965652-47a3-11e6-bdb9-701687974517_story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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