Jim Webb (full name James Henry "Jim" Webb, Jr.) is the junior U.S. Senator from Virginia. He is also an author and a former Secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan.
He is a member of the Democratic Party, but only for the past few years.
A 1968 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Jim Webb served as a Marine Corps infantry officer until 1972, and is a highly decorated Vietnam War combat veteran.
During his four years with the Reagan administration, Jim Webb served as the first Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, then as Secretary of the Navy.
Jim Webb won the Democratic nomination for the 2006 Virginia Senate race by defeating Harris Miller in the primary, then won the general election in an upset over Republican incumbent George Allen.
Webb's thin margin in the general election (less than 0.5 percent) kept the outcome uncertain for nearly two days after polls closed, and provided the final seat that tilted the Senate to Democratic control (technically, it is 49-49, though two independents lean Democratic).
He will become the senior Senator from Virginia in 2009 with the planned retirement of fellow Senator John Warner.
However, Jim Webb has been mentioned as a possible vice president for Sen. Barack Obama in the 2008 election.
NATIONAL[NOTE: Figures above are averages of the 3-6 most recent surveys in each area. Updated June 17]
