John Warner
John Warner | |
---|---|
United States Senator from Virginia | |
In office January 2, 1979 – January 3, 2009 | |
Preceded by | William L. Scott |
Succeeded by | Mark Warner |
Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee | |
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007 | |
Preceded by | Carl Levin |
Succeeded by | Carl Levin |
In office January 3, 1999 – June 6, 2001 | |
Preceded by | Strom Thurmond |
Succeeded by | Carl Levin |
Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee | |
In office September 12, 1995 – January 3, 1999 | |
Preceded by | Ted Stevens |
Succeeded by | Mitch McConnell |
61st United States Secretary of the Navy | |
In office May 4, 1972 – April 8, 1974 | |
President | Richard Nixon |
Preceded by | John Chafee |
Succeeded by | J. William Middendorf |
United States Under Secretary of the Navy | |
In office February 11, 1969 – May 4, 1972 | |
President | Richard Nixon |
Preceded by | Charles F. Baird |
Succeeded by | Frank P. Sanders |
Personal details | |
Born | John William Warner III February 18, 1927 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Died | May 25, 2021 Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. | (aged 94)
Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
Political party | Republican |
Spouses |
|
Children | 3 |
Education | |
Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | |
Years of service |
|
Rank |
|
Unit | 1st Marine Aircraft Wing |
Battles/wars | |
John William Warner III (February 18, 1927 – May 25, 2021) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the
Warner was a veteran of the
Warner's 2002 re-election is the most recent election in which a Republican won a U.S. Senate seat in Virginia.
Early life and education
John William Warner III[2] was born on February 18, 1927, in Washington, D.C., to Martha Budd and Dr. John Warner Jr., an obstetrician-gynecologist in Washington.[3] He grew up in the District, where he attended the elite St. Albans School before graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in February 1945.
Warner enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II in January 1945, shortly before his 18th birthday. He served until the following year, leaving as a petty officer third class. He went to college at Washington and Lee University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi, graduating in 1949; he then entered the University of Virginia Law School.[4]
Warner joined the
In 1960, he entered private law practice and joined Hogan & Hartson (now
After giving substantial funds and time to Nixon's successful presidential campaign in 1968, Warner was appointed Under Secretary of the Navy in the Nixon Administration in February 1969. On May 4, 1972, he succeeded
U.S. Senator
Following Ford's defeat, Warner began to consider political office for himself. He entered politics in the 1978 Virginia election for U.S. Senate. Despite the publicity of being Elizabeth Taylor's husband and the large amounts of money Warner used in his campaign for the nomination, he finished second at the state
His committee memberships included the
Warner was quite moderate, especially in comparison to most Republican Senators from the South. He was among the minority of Republicans to support some
Warner supported
In 1987, Warner was one of the six Republicans who voted to reject the nomination of Robert Bork by President Ronald Reagan and the only Southern Republican to do so.[14] Warner was re-elected easily in 1984 and 1990, and faced his first real challenge for re-election in 1996 from political newcomer Democrat Mark Warner (no relation), a millionaire who vastly outspent the incumbent and produced an unusually close election. John Warner prevailed with 52% of the vote.
According to
In the
As was the case in 1990, Warner faced no Democratic opposition in 2002, winning re-election to a fifth term in the Senate by a landslide over Independent candidate Jacob Hornberger.[17]
On May 23, 2005, Warner was one of 14 centrist senators, dubbed the "
On September 17, 2006, Warner said that U.S. military and intelligence personnel in future wars will suffer for abuses committed in 2006 by the U.S. in the name of fighting terrorism. He feared that the administration's civilian lawyers and a president who never saw combat were putting U.S. service personnel at risk of torture, summary executions and other atrocities by chipping away at Geneva Conventions’ standards that have protected them since 1949. Following the Supreme Court ruling on Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, which was adverse to the Bush Administration, Warner (with Senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain) negotiated with the White House the language of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, suspending habeas corpus provisions for anyone deemed by the Executive Branch an "unlawful combatant" and barring them from challenging their detentions in court. Warner's vote gave a retroactive, nine-year immunity to U.S. officials who authorized, ordered, or committed acts of torture and abuse, permitting the use of statements obtained through torture to be used in military tribunals so long as the abuse took place by December 30, 2005.[18]
Warner's "compromise" (approved by a Republican majority) authorized the President to establish permissible interrogation methods and to "interpret the meaning and application" of international
In March 2007, after Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
On August 23, 2007, he called on President Bush to begin bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq by Christmas in order to make it clear to the Iraqi leadership that the U.S. commitment is not indefinite.[25]
On August 31, 2007, he announced that he would not seek a sixth term in the Senate in 2008.[26]
Warner was a cosponsor of
In September 2008, Warner joined the
In October 2008, Warner voted in favor of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.[28][29]
Committee assignments
- Committee on Environment and Public Works
- Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- Committee on Armed Services
- Subcommittee on Airland
- Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
- Subcommittee on SeaPower
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
- Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration
- Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
- Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
- Select Committee on Intelligence
- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Post-Senate life
Warner was listed as a senior advisor at the website for the D.C. law firm, Hogan Lovells. He was in the firm's Global Regulatory practice group, and his specialties were Aerospace, Defense, and Government Services.[30]
He endorsed Democrat Mark Warner, his rival in the 1996 election, to succeed him in 2008.[31] In 2014, Warner endorsed Mark Warner's Senate reelection bid.[32] On September 28, 2016, Warner endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, praising Clinton's record of bipartisan cooperation.[33] In 2018, he endorsed Democrats Tim Kaine for Senate and Abigail Spanberger and Leslie Cockburn for Congress.[34][35] He did endorse Republican candidates Ed Gillespie for Governor in 2017 and Barbara Comstock for Virginia's 10th congressional district in 2018.[36][37] In 2020, Warner endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for President of the United States and Mark Warner for his reelection bid to the Senate.[38][39]
In 2020, Warner, along with over 130 other former Republican national security officials, signed a statement that asserted that President Trump was unfit to serve another term, and "To that end, we are firmly convinced that it is in the best interest of our nation that Vice President Joe Biden be elected as the next President of the United States, and we will vote for him."[40]
Warner also served as an Honorary Director on the Board of Directors at the Atlantic Council.[41]
Honors
On December 12, 2008, the
On January 8, 2009, the Secretary of the Navy announced the Navy would name the next Virginia-class submarine after John Warner. USS John Warner (SSN-785) is the twelfth Virginia-class submarine[43] and was commissioned on August 1, 2015, at a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk.[44][45]
On February 19, 2009, the
The annual Senator John W. Warner Award is given to a third year undergraduate student at the University of Virginia who exhibits a serious, convincing ambition to seek future election to public office. This award honors an individual who strives for service in an elected office, whether it is a part-time city council position or a full-time legislative or executive office. Successful candidates demonstrate the required courage to stand up and ask fellow citizens for their valued vote. The award of up to $3,000 funds a research project in an area that will inform the recipient's future career as an elected official. Award recipients include: John Jacob Nay, Casey Enders, James Linville, and Sarah Buckley.[48]
On May 2, 2013, Warner and
Personal life
In August 1957, Warner married banking heiress Catherine Conover Mellon, the daughter of art collector Paul Mellon and his first wife, Mary Conover, and the granddaughter of Andrew Mellon. By his marriage, Warner accrued substantial capital for investing and expanding his political contacts. The Warners, who divorced in 1973, had three children: Virginia, John IV, and Mary. His former wife now uses the name Catherine Conover.[51]
Warner was the sixth husband of actress Elizabeth Taylor, whom he married in December 1976, at the Second Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, before he was elected to the Senate. They divorced in November 1982. Warner was the last surviving, as well as the longest-lived, of Taylor's seven husbands.
Warner was linked romantically to broadcast journalist Barbara Walters in the 1990s. In December 2003, he married Jeanne Vander Myde, a real estate agent and the widow of Reagan administration defense department official Paul Vander Myde.[52][53]
Death and funeral
Warner died from heart failure at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, on May 25, 2021, at age 94.[54][55] Warner's funeral was held June 23, 2021, at Washington National Cathedral. President Joe Biden, Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, and Admiral Michael Mullen were among those who spoke at the funeral.[56]
Electoral results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican
|
John Warner | 613,232 | 50.2 | ||
Democratic
|
Andrew P. Miller | 608,511 | 49.8 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican
|
John Warner (Incumbent) | 1,406,194 | 70.1 | +19.9 | |
Democratic
|
Edythe C. Harrison
|
601,142 | 29.9 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican
|
John Warner (Incumbent) | 846,782 | 80.4 | +10.3 | |
Independent
|
Nancy B. Spannaus | 196,755 | 18.7 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican
|
John Warner (Incumbent) | 1,235,743 | 52.5 | -27.9 | |
Democratic
|
Mark Warner | 1,115,981 | 47.4 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican
|
John Warner (Incumbent) | 1,229,894 | 82.6 | +30.1 | |
Independent
|
Nancy B. Spannaus | 145,102 | 9.7 | ||
Independent
|
Jacob Hornberger | 106,055 | 7.1 |
See also
References
- ^ "Veterans' defiance a nightmare for Bush". September 17, 2006.
- ^ "General Elections 2002". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ Hulse, Carl (May 26, 2021). "John Warner, Genteel Senator from Virginia, Dies at 94". The New York Times.
- ^ "Interment of Senator John W. Warner III, U.S. Senator and 61st Secretary of the Navy". Marines.mil. 2021.
- ^ Sen. John Warner (July 27, 2006). Marine Corps Commandant Nomination Hearing (Video). Washington, D. C.: C-SPAN.
- ^ "Records of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration [ARBA]". National Archives. August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Toner, Robin (September 1, 2007). "Virginia Senator Will Retire in 2008". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 103rd Congress - 2nd Session". www.senate.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ Feinstein, Dianne (February 24, 2004). "Cosponsors - S.2109 - 108th Congress (2003-2004): Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2004". www.congress.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ Feinstein, Dianne (March 14, 2005). "Cosponsors - S.620 - 109th Congress (2005-2006): Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2005". www.congress.gov. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 108th Congress - 1st Session". www.senate.gov.
- ^ "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 2nd Session". www.senate.gov.
- ^ "Elected Officials". www.capwiz.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2006. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
- ^ "U.S. Senate website" (PDF).
- ISBN 9780786220168.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - US President Race - Dec 16, 1996". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ProQuest 423821298.
- ^ Neikirk, William; Zajac, Andrew; Silva, Mark (September 29, 2006). "Tribunal bill OKd by Senate". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 24, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2006.
- ^ Zernike, Kate (September 28, 2006). "Senate Passes Broad New Detainee Rules". The New York Times. Retrieved September 28, 2006.
- ^ "Veterans' defiance a nightmare for Bush". September 17, 2006. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2006.
- ^ "THE STRUGGLE FOR IRAQ; Bush Reassures Iraqi That There Is No Timetable for Withdrawal". The New York Times. October 16, 2006. Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ "The Sun News | 10/18/2006 | Bush signs bill, hails interrogation rules". Archived from the original on January 7, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2006.
- ^ "George Bush, John McCain and 'Torture'". Human Events. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2006.
- ^ "Sen. Clinton dodges question on gays, immorality". CNN. March 15, 2007.
- ^ Phillips, Kate (August 23, 2007). "Warner: Bring Some Troops Home".
- ^ "Sen. Warner won't seek 6th term". NBC News. August 31, 2007. Retrieved August 31, 2007.
- ^ "Klobuchar joins bipartisan energy group". Star Tribune.
- ^ "Vote Summary: Question: On the Amendment (Dodd Amdt. No. 5685 ) – In the nature of a substitute". U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress – 2nd Session. Secretary of the United States Senate. October 1, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
- ^ "Vote Summary: On Passage of the Bill (H. R. 1424 As Amended )". U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress – 2nd Session. Secretary of the United States Senate. October 1, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
- ^ "Hogan Lovells". Archived from the original on June 16, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
- ^ Hohmann, James (January 27, 2014). "Warner endorses Warner". POLITICO. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ Trygstad, Kyle (January 27, 2014). "John Warner Endorses Mark Warner (Updated)" – via www.rollcall.com.
- ^ Flores, Reena (September 28, 2016). "Former GOP Sen. John Warner endorses Hillary Clinton". CBS News. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ^ "Former senator John Warner crosses party lines to endorse Democrat Tim Kaine". Washington Post. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ Daugherty, Owen (November 2, 2018). "Ex-GOP Sen. Warner endorses Virginia Democrat over Dave Brat". TheHill.
- ^ "Schapiro: J. Warner endorsement spotlights Gillespie's path - Columnist Jeff Schapiro - richmond.com". November 7, 2017. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017.
- ^ Baratko, Trevor (October 10, 2018). "Former Sen. John Warner endorses Comstock in her re-election bid". LoudounTimes.com.
- ^ Times-Dispatch, JEFF E. SCHAPIRO Richmond (March 2020). "Former Sen. John Warner endorses Joe Biden". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- ^ "Republican Former Senator John Warner Endorses Mark Warner's Re-election Bid". Mark Warner For Virginia. October 20, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "Former Republican National Security Officials for Biden". Defending Democracy Together. August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "Board of Directors". Atlantic Council. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- ^ Hansen, Louis (October 10, 2008). "In Norfolk talk, Sen. Warner says 'free market will survive'". The Virginian Pilot. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. Department of Defense". U.S. Department of Defense.
- ^ "Navy to Commission Submarine John Warner".
- ^ Lendon, Brad (August 4, 2015). "New sub Navy's 'most lethal warship' USS John Warner". CNN.
- ^ "Queen to name John Warner honorary knight - Richmond Times-Dispatch: …". February 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013.
- ^ Schulte, Brigid. "A Most Excellent Honor For the Ex-Senator - washingtonpost.com". The Washington Post.
- ^ "University of Virginia Warner Award". Archived from the original on May 15, 2008.
- ^ "The Senator John W. Warner Center for Advanced Military Studies, May 2, 2013" (PDF). Foundation News (71). Marine Corps University Foundation: 6. Fall 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ Baker, Eve A. (February 18, 2015). "Marine Corps University construction project nearing the end of Phase II". Quantico Sentry. BH Media Group Holdings, Inc. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ Mewbor, Mary K. (May 2005). "Real Estate News". Washington Life Magazine. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (December 21, 2003). "Weddings/Celebrations, Vows: Jeanne Vander Myde and John Warner". New York Times. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ Lerman, David (December 14, 2003). "Winter Wedding for Warner". Daily Press. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ Putman, Eileen (May 26, 2021). "John Warner dies: military expert married Elizabeth Taylor". Associated Press. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
- ^ Stracqualursi, Veronica (May 26, 2021). "John Warner, longtime US senator from Virginia, dies at 94". CNN. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
- ^ Elwood, Karina (June 23, 2021). "Biden: Sen. John W. Warner 'is a reminder of what we can do when we come together as one nation'". Washington Post. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
External links
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- [1] John Warner's retirement speech
- [2] John Warner ends the suspense
- [3] A public servant returns to private life
- [4] Warner honors a homecoming soldier
- [5] John Warner's maverick moments
- Profile at SourceWatch
- Warner Backs Resolution Opposing Troop Increase Jonathan Weisman, Washington Post, January 23, 2007
- Secretaries of the Navy Archived August 20, 2018, at the Wayback Machine official list
- Appearances on C-SPAN