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Former reality TV star Mark Moran has launched his U.S. Senate bid in Virginia, positioning himself as an independent challenger to incumbent Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and ripping both major parties.<\/span><\/p>\n Moran, best known for appearing on the short-lived HBO Max dating series \u201cFBoy Island,\u201d announced his campaign in a video posted Friday, saying he is\u00a0<\/span>\u201cbreaking free from the Democratic establishment\u201d to run as an independent and will put \u201cVirginia & America First.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m doing that because I\u2019m putting our country first. I\u2019m putting it above these divisive issues that the Left, that the Right, and our corporate media control,\u201d he said in the announcement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Moran has framed his campaign around what he describes as \u201cbig, bold ideas\u201d to \u201csimplify\u201d and \u201crestructure\u201d government, arguing that \u201ceverything is wrong, and that\u2019s because money controls.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He has taken aim at the incumbent Democrat, calling Warner an \u201coligarch\u201d and urging voters to reject establishment politics ahead of Virginia\u2019s August 4 primary.<\/span><\/p>\n Today, I am putting Virginia & America First, to announce that I am running as an Independent for U.S. Senate. pic.twitter.com\/NUPa5xTvd0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mark Moran for U.S. Senate (@itsmarkmoran) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Moran previously worked in investment banking and built an online following centered on what he called \u201cWall Street culture.\u201d He claims to have left the industry due to moral objections<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n The political newcomer has also broken with Democratic orthodoxy on some issues, including gun rights.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAfter facing a personal safety issue, I got a gun. It made me realize how extreme our party\u2019s stance has become,\u201d Moran posted<\/a> on social media. \u201cThe founders wrote the 2A to protect us from tyranny\u2026whether that tyranny comes from Donald Trump or a state legislature trying to disarm you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Second Amendment isn\u2019t about hunting. It\u2019s about power\u2026the people\u2019s power,\u201d Moran\u2019s campaign website says. \u201cIt\u2019s the final check on a government that seeks to control its citizens. It\u2019s exactly what Jefferson warned us about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Moran has drawn attention for his combative online presence as well. In response to a critic on his campaign launch video, he wrote<\/a>, \u201cRead the website retard, nobody has ever talked about my ideas bc no one has had my unique experience \u2013 enjoy !!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This was in response to an X user writing, \u201cYeah, cool Mark. Go ahead and TURN IT ALL AROUND once you get elected. No clue why no one else has ever thought of all these buzzwords and catchphrases before, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll sort it all out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n