The Senate's Republican campaign chief is now pushing for former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore (R) to run for the state's Senate seat in 2018.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Cory Gardner Cory Scott GardnerOvernight Health Care: US coronavirus deaths hit 200,000 | Ginsburg's death puts future of ObamaCare at risk | Federal panel delays vote on initial COVID-19 vaccine distribution The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot MORE (R-Colo.) reportedly met with the former governor in Washington this week to urge him to consider running in 2018 in an effort to flip Sen. Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court MORE's (D) seat red, The Washington Post reports.

Virginia Republicans are currently scrambling to find a new Kaine challenger, over fears that controversial pro-Trump ex-gubernatorial candidate Corey Stewart may clinch the party's nomination.

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Influential Republican Sens. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (Ky.) and Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeMcConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package McConnell tries to unify GOP Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (Utah) have also met with state delegate Nick Freitas about a potential bid for the nomination.

Stewart lost the GOP nomination for governor to Ed Gillespie. Gillespie lost the Virginia race to the Democratic candidate and current lieutenant governor Ralph Northam by a crushing nine points in November.

The party will reportedly meet for a mountain retreat this weekend to put their heads together after the recent gubernatorial loss and massive Democratic gains in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Kaine ran on the Democratic ticket for vice president alongside Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE in 2016, which won Virginia by five points.