Related

The latest from our Blue Ridge Caucus politics blog

• Blue Ridge Caucus What If?: What if the city had moved elections to November ahead of the 2008 mayoral race?
• Obama campaign releases ads on veterans, Medicare

From The Roanoke Times

• Follow state and local political coverage from The Roanoke Times

With Roanoke's historic Fire Station No. 1 as his backdrop, Democrat Tim Kaine formally launched his campaign for governor today by promising to build on the record of Gov. Mark Warner and implement his own plan to reduce real estate taxes on Virginia homeowners.

Facing no opposition for the Democratic nomination, Kaine, the lieutenant governor, cast himself as Warner's logical successor and suggested that his leadership would differ greatly from his likely Republican opponent, former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore. Kaine, referring to the budget problems Warner inherited in 2002, described himself as Warner's partner in an effort that "helped restore fiscal responsibility to the state and brought all sides together to move forward."

"There's a new way of doing business here in Virginia, " Kaine said to a crowd of about 250 in the fire hall. "Either we all work together to move this state forward or we slip backward into the bitter partisanship and fiscal recklessness of the past. Simply put, we can't go back."

Kaine said he will lay out a plan to reduce the real estate taxes that local governments levy on homeowners, in part by fully funding the state's share of public school operating costs. He told reporters aboard his campaign plane that he will unveil four more components of the plan today at a Northern Virginia press conference. Kaine said his plan, unlike the state's car tax reimbursement program, will not directly impact Virginia's general operating budget.

Kaine said his plan will provide both short-term tax relief and a long-term structure to minimize future increases in property tax bills.

Kilgore will formally kick off his campaign on Monday in Gate City, his hometown, before embarking on a statewide tour the following day. Kilgore's campaign agenda will include a "concrete plan" to provide real estate tax relief.

Kaine, 47, was accompanied on his kickoff tour by his three children, his parents, his father-in-law, former Republican Gov. Linwood Holton, and mother-in-law Jinks Holton. Kaine is married to Anne Holton, a Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations judge, who is prohibited from participating in campaign events.

The Roanoke rally was a homecoming of sorts for Holton, who practiced law Roanoke before his 1969 election made him Virginia's first Republican governor of the 20th century. Holton and Kaine made an unscheduled stop at the Roanoke Weiner Stand on their way to the Church Avenue fire house.

"Best hot dogs in the world," Holton proclaimed after shaking hands with employees in the popular eatery.