Bert
Mizusawa
Retired Major General Bert Mizusawa is the 2026 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Virginia, challenging incumbent Sen. Mark Warner.
- sources
- 14
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 5
Background
Bert Mizusawa is the 2026 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Virginia, challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Warner in the November 3, 2026 general election. Born in Hawaii and a longtime McLean, Virginia resident since 1999, he is a retired U.S. Army Major General who holds a B.S. from West Point, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. 8912
Before his campaign, Mizusawa served as a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee (1995–1998) and as Deputy Under Secretary of the Army (1998–2001), in addition to a career in private legal practice. After his military and federal service, he headed a McLean-based consulting and technology firm. 1220
Mizusawa ran unsuccessfully in the 2010 Republican primary for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District and holds no prior elected office. He secured the Republican nomination in 2026 and is identified by Virginia election authorities as a non-incumbent challenger. 11819
His campaign has emphasized his military background and veterans' issues. 1415
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Virginia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Head of a McLean-based consulting and technology firm (retired U.S. Army Major General)
- Website
- bertforsenate.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 7controversyControversy: Mizusawa's answer on DOJ disability oversight role draws scrutiny
At the disability-policy forum, Mizusawa questioned the Justice Department's role in community-living policy, saying it was generally a state responsibility except where federal funding is involved. WVTF reported his answer appeared to overlook the DOJ's existing involvement in Virginia's disability-services oversight.
Senate forum on disability issues also focuses on DOJ’s role · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7debateMizusawa and Warner participate in virtual disability-policy forum
After the AARP debate was canceled, the candidates participated in a virtual forum hosted by disability-rights organizations. Mizusawa emphasized enforcement of existing discrimination law, scrutiny of Medicare and Medicaid spending for fraud, waste and abuse, and said employers should be responsible for discriminatory AI decisions without explicitly endorsing new federal AI regulation.
Warner, Mizusawa outline competing approaches to disability policy · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsFEC figures show Mizusawa raised ~$376K vs. Warner's $25M+; no TV ads aired
Federal Election Commission figures through July 15 showed Mizusawa had raised just over $376,000 with $52,964 cash on hand, compared to Warner's $25 million raised and $16.1 million on hand. Warner had aired TV ads; Mizusawa had not.
Following the Funds: Why you haven't seen TV ads for one candidate in Va. US Senate race · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsMizusawa outlines affordability and data-center policy priorities in local TV interview
In an interview published October 3, Mizusawa identified affordability as a top campaign priority, discussed tax changes involving home sales, supported expanding nuclear power, and said local communities should not be forced to accept data centers while noting AI's importance to national security.
Republican Senate nominee Bert Mizusawa zeroes in on ... · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsEarly voting begins in Virginia; Mizusawa listed on ballot against Warner
Virginia's in-person early voting period began September 18 and was set to run through October 31. Mizusawa appeared on the ballot as the Republican candidate opposing incumbent Sen. Mark Warner.
Early Voting Begins For 2026 Election: What's On Fairfax County Ballots · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15debateLeague of Women Voters cancels Senate debate after Warner does not respond in time
The League of Women Voters said it had not heard back from Warner in time to set a date. Warner's campaign said it had not declined and was working through his schedule; Mizusawa's campaign said he was willing to debate.
Another Virginia Senate debate canceled, then things get complicated · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 8debateAARP cancels planned October 7 'People's Debate' after Warner declines to commit
AARP Virginia canceled its planned Senate debate after Warner's campaign said it could not commit due to an unsettled Senate schedule. Mizusawa had accepted the invitation.
AARP cancels Virginia U.S. Senate debate · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 4filingMizusawa wins Republican primary with ~51.5% of the vote
Bert Mizusawa won the Republican nomination for Virginia's U.S. Senate seat, defeating David Williams and Kim Farington with approximately 51.5% of the vote.
Bert Mizusawa (R) – Virginia Senate 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 12pollWarner leads Mizusawa 48–32% among registered voters in Public Sentiment Institute poll
A Public Sentiment Institute poll conducted June 12–16 showed Warner leading Mizusawa 48% to 32% among registered voters and 50% to 33% among likely voters. No more recent public poll was available as of October 11.
Mark Warner Polls: Polling Average and Latest Surveys · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Thelma Drake officialFormer U.S. representative for Virginia's 2nd District; listed among Mizusawa's endorsers in The Roanoke Times on August 2, 2026. · Aug 2, 2026
- Luther Cifers officialVirginia state senator; listed in The Roanoke Times on August 2, 2026. · Aug 2, 2026
- Mark Obenshain officialVirginia state senator; listed in The Roanoke Times on August 2, 2026, and posted on X on July 31, 2026: 'I'm proud to endorse @GenBert2026 Bert Mizusawa for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate.' x.com · Jul 31, 2026
- Ben Cline officialU.S. representative for Virginia's 6th District; reported in The Northern Virginia Daily on July 20, 2026. · Jul 20, 2026
- Bryce Reeves officialVirginia state senator and Republican primary candidate who withdrew; reported by Shore Daily News on July 17, 2026. · Jul 17, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $419K
- Spent
- $329K
- Cash on hand
- $90K
As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S8VA00321(opens in a new tab)
Sources 14
- [1] Mark Warner Polls: Polling Average and Latest Surveys(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Senate forum on disability issues also focuses on DOJ’s role(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] Warner, Mizusawa outline competing approaches to disability policy(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] Following the Funds: Why you haven't seen TV ads for one candidate in Va. US Senate race(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Republican Senate nominee Bert Mizusawa zeroes in on ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [6] Bert Mizusawa on Budget & Economy(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [7] Bert Mizusawa (R) – Virginia Senate 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [8] Mizusawa launches GOP challenge to Warner - CBS 19 News(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [9] Early Voting Begins For 2026 Election: What's On Fairfax County Ballots(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [10] Another Virginia Senate debate canceled, then things get complicated(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [11] AARP cancels Virginia U.S. Senate debate(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
- [12] Senate candidates share their key campaign points at Buena ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 7, 2026
- [13] What's at stake in Virginia elections, including a key Senate race(opens in a new tab) Aug 31, 2026
- [14] Mark Obenshain on X: "Don't forget to get out to vote for @ ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026