ALAN SUDERMAN
Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Mark Warner is highlighting his background as a businessman during a statewide re-election campaign tour.

Warner was in Richmond Thursday at 804RVA, a shared workspace for start-ups and freelancers.

The first-term senator and former governor stressed the need for student loan reform so that more young people could pursue careers as entrepreneurs.

Warner, a multi-millionaire cellphone pioneer, said he was not burdened by heavy student debt when some of his early start-ups failed.

Republicans will pick Warner’s challenger next month at a convention in Roanoke.

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie is considered the favorite to win the GOP nomination. He has called Warner a rubber stamp for President Barack Obama.

Warner said Thursday he’s not concerned about attacks questioning his political independence.

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