RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine has won a third term after defeating Republican challenger Hung Cao in Virginia’s U.S. Senate race, according to The Associated Press. Kaine, a former Virginia governor, easily won his 2018 reelection bid with 57% of the vote, a 16% gap with his Republican opponent. Kaine, a well-known political figure in Virginia, was Hillary Clinton's running mate in 2016, Virginia lieutenant governor and Richmond mayor. Cao, a retired Navy captain, got an endorsement from former President Donald Trump and easily won a 5-way GOP primary. He ran for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District seat but ultimately lost the 2022 race in the Northern Virginia district. The victory by Kaine extends Democrats' dominance in Congress' upper chamber. The last Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in Virginia was John. W. Warner in 2002. All election results are unofficial until certified. This story is breaking. Check back for updates.