Former Virginia Gov. Gilmore participating in a Republican presidential debate prior to dropping his White House bid.

WASHINGTON – (CNN) Jim Gilmore officially jumped into the race for the Senate Monday.

The former Republican Governor of Virginia announced in an e-mail and on the Internet that he’s a candidate for the seat of retiring Senator John Warner, a long time Republican Senator from Virginia who announced earlier this year that he’ll retire at the end of his term rather than run for re-election next year.

"America has a lot of work to do and doesn't have the right leaders to do it," says Gilmore in his announcement, adding that "I'm running for the United State Senate from Virginia because I want to be one of those leaders who call on the spirit that is common in all of us, and use it to restore our country for the benefit of our people and in the eyes of the world."

Gilmore’s announcement sets up an expected high profile contest between two former Virginia governors. Democrat Mark Warner, who succeeded Gilmore at the State House in Richmond, jumped into the race for the senate seat earlier this year. Warner is not related to the retiring senator.

Besides being former Virginia governors, Mark Warner and John Gilmore have something else in common: White House aspirations.

Mark Warner contemplated a presidential bid last year before deciding against it. Gilmore jumped into the race for the White House late last year before dropping out in July.

–CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser

Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Citing a late start and a front-loaded primary calendar, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore announced Saturday he is dropping his bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

Gilmore said in a statement that his short-lived campaign "has been a positive and rewarding experience for me, for my family, and for my supporters," but he also expressed frustration with today's nomination process.

"I have come to believe that it takes more than a positive vision for our nation's future to successfully compete for the Presidency," he said. "I believe that it takes years of preparation to put in place both the political and financial infrastructure to contest what now amounts to a one-day national primary in February."

Approximately two dozen states have either moved or are considering moving their presidential primaries or caucuses to February 5, 2008.

Gilmore says he plans to form a state political action committee to support local Republican candidates in Virginia and also hinted at seeking office again in the future.

"I will be actively looking for other opportunities to continue in public service in the Commonwealth of Virginia," he said.

He began his presidential campaign in January.

– CNN Political Research Director Robert Yoon

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore suggested Tuesday at the GOP presidential debate the United States turn towards nuclear power and other alternative energy sources.

"We're going to have to in fact look to all sources: ethanol, biomass, coal, clean coal, the opportunities for natural gas, and nuclear power."

"Nuclear power will help this whole issue of global warming," Gilmore added.

Gilmore was responding to a question posed by CNN moderator Wolf Blitzer, who pressed the candidates on whether oil executive profits were too high.

– CNN Contributor Josh Lipsky

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, R-Virginia, said "all options are on the table" regarding Iran's desire to have nuclear weapons.

Gilmore told the audience at CNN's New Hampshire debate between Republican presidential candidates that he would follow a dual approach in dealing with Iran, including communication with the Iranians.

We need to communicate directly with the Iranians," Gilmore said.

He also said he would work with the European allies on "appropriate sanctions."

–CNN political researcher Xuan Thai

Tonight's debate kicks off at 7 p.m. ET.

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) — Where do the Republican presidential candidates stand?

No, not on policy issues, but physically, where will the 10 GOP contenders line up Tuesday night at the Republican presidential debate?

Sitting in the audience and looking at the stage, from left to right: Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, Sen. Sam Brownback, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, California Rep. Duncan Hunter, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

– CNN Political Editor Mark Preston