Democrat takes seat in Virginia Senate race

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Mark Warner on Tuesday won his bid to replace retiring Republican Sen. John Warner in the U.S. Senate race in Virginia, a victory that will help Democrats solidify their hold on Congress, U.S. media projected.

Warner, a popular former governor, beat Republican Jim Gilmore, also a former governor. Warner's election means Democrats will hold both U.S. Senate seats as well as the governor's mansion in this once solidly Republican Southern state.