Senator John Warner announced he will retire from the Senate at the end of his term and former Governor Mark Warner has announced he will run for the open seat. Several Republicans will likely vie for the Republican nomination but have said they will not make their intentions known until November 2007 or later. Both former Governor Jim Gilmore and Representative Tom Davis are said to be interested, which could create a divisive primary for the GOP. Robust growth in Northern Virginia continues to erode Republican margins in the south and western parts of the state and with a job approval rating of 75% when he left office as governor, Warner will be a formidable opponent.