The exodus from John Warner's office continues

For months now, Virginia Sen. John Warner has insisted that he is leaning toward seeking re-election next year.

But that hasn't stopped his Senate staff members from seeking work elsewhere as speculation over the 80-year-old lawmaker's political future continues to swirl.

First, his veteran top aide, Susan Magill, left last year for a job at the Pew Charitable Trusts after a 24-year tenure with Warner.

Then Ann Loomis, Magill's successor as chief of staff, left in May for a high-paying position at energy giant Dominion.

Now comes word that John Ullyot, who has served as Warner's director of communications since 2003, will leave later this month for a senior vice president slot at public relations firm Hill and Knowlton.

It is hardly unusual for Capitol Hill staffers to seek more lucrative work in the private sector after spending years building relations with lawmakers. But the exodus from Warner's office is likely to trigger renewed speculation over his political plans.

Warner, one of Virginia's most enduring and popular politicians, would be seeking re-election next year at the age of 81. If re-elected, he would be 87 by the time he completes another six-year term.

Warner has said he will decide in September whether to seek another term, after spending August visiting Iraq and taking a family vacation.

Ullyot, in a statement announcing his pending depature, left open the possibility of returning to help his boss campaign.

"While Senator Warner has not announced whether to seek re-election in 2008, I have assured him that I will be active in his campaign, should he decide to run," Ullyot said.

A decision by Warner to step down would open up a Senate seat that has not been vacant since Warner first won it in 1978. U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, a Fairfax County moderate, has been widely touted as a likely Republican successor if Warner retires. But Davis could face a primary challenge from former Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore, who recently abandoned his presidential campaign.

On the Democratic side, former Gov. Mark Warner has been urged to run and is considered likely to do so if John Warner steps down.