It’s normal for an aspiring politician to have role models, but Timothy E. Donner ’s choices — Ron Johnson, Rand Paul and Christine O’Donnell — aren’t the usual ones. Johnson (Wis.), Paul (Ky.) and O’Donnell (Del.) were all underdogs who surprised the Republican establishment and won the party nomination for U.S. Senate in 2010. Donner, a film-production company owner with no past involvement in electoral politics, is hoping to do the same in Virginia in 2012. Donner is one of several Republicans either running or contemplating a bid to succeed retiring Sen. James Webb (D). Former senator George Allen is the Republican front-runner, while former Virginia Tea Party Patriots head Jamie Radtke has also drawn some attention to her campaign. The nominee will probably face former governor Timothy M. Kaine (D) in November. Read full article > >

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Little-known Donner mounts long-shot Senate bid in Virginia

The decision by Senator Jim Webb gives Republicans another opportunity to help them reclaim the majority.

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