Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore officially announced Monday morning he will run for the U.S. Senate next year, setting up a showdown with the popular Democrat who succeeded him.

Gilmore, who briefly sought the Republican presidential nomination earlier this year, made his declaration in a video statement e-mailed to supporters and the media.

"We have a great many challenges facing our country," said Gilmore, who served as the state's chief executive from 1998 to 2002. "Of course, serious problems and crises are nothing new for America. But today, I'm sorry to say, we also find too often that our leaders just aren't up to the challenge."

Gilmore alienated many moderate Republicans during his gubernatorial term by pushing forward with plans to eliminate the personal property tax on automobiles, despite the proposal's escalating costs and a slowing state economy. The disagreement led to a historic budget impasse in 2001 and bolstered Democrat Mark Warner's campaign for governor against Republican Attorney General Mark Earley.

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The race will be expensive. Warner, a multimillionaire, raised $1.1 million in less than three weeks after announcing his campaign in October. Early polls following Warner's kickoff showed him way ahead of potential Republican rivals, including Gilmore, but pundits are not anointing the Democrat yet.

"I think Gilmore has more of a chance than people are giving him credit for," said Sean O'Brien, director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. "He believes so strongly in what he is doing and he has been elected statewide as attorney general and then governor. He has a lot of people out there who will support him no matter what."

Warner and Gilmore are competing for the Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Republican John Warner.

Mark Warner is not being challenged for the Democratic nomination. Gilmore's path to being the Republican entry became easier in September when the state party decided to hold a convention instead of a primary, which forced Northern Virginia Congressman Tom Davis to back down.

Del. Chris Saxman, R-Shenandoah, is considering a challenge to Gilmore but has not announced his intentions.

jrogalsky@dcexaminer.com