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Former U.S. Senator John Warner, a Virginia Republican, has endorsed U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, in his bid for reelection.

The endorsement was announced by the Kaine campaign Wednesday ahead of the debate Wednesday night between Kaine and Republican opponent Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the debate that will be broadcast on NBC Washington.

"Tim's unquestioned integrity and moral character are sorely needed in the Senate at this most unusual time in our nation's history,” Warner said in a statement. “Americans, myself included, are fervently seeking to support the election of public servants with those basic but essential characteristics. For these reasons, Tim has certainly earned my vote and total support in this election."

Warner, who served five terms in the U.S. Senate, further praised Kaine for “his ability to reach across the aisle – and even stand up to his own party – on important issues affecting Virginia and our nation.”

Stewart, in a statement later Wednesday, blasted Warner's endorsement.

“John Warner is an anti-gun, pro-abortion ‘moderate’ who repeatedly torpedoed conservatives and his fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate,"Stewart said. "He endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, and it should come as no surprise that he endorsed her liberal running mate Tim Kaine.”