Kaine Announces Senate Campaign in Online Video

WASHINGTON — Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine says he is running for the U.S. Senate.

The former Virginia governor said in an online video on Tuesday that he is running for Senate because "America has big challenges and I'm convinced that Virginia has answers to help strengthen our nation."

Kaine would enter the race to succeed Democratic Sen. Jim Webb, who announced he was retiring from office after just one term.

Kaine has mulled a Senate run in recent weeks. His candidacy leaves an opening for a DNC chairman to oversee the central party as President Barack Obama heads toward a re-election bid. The DNC also would have to help the party defend a majority in the U.S. Senate and fight to reclaim power in the U.S. House.