Maybe a bit OT, but are there any Virginia Lizards (or anyone who knows the rules) who can answer a question for me?

If (When, Dog willing) Tim Kaine is elected VP, and has to resign his Senate seat, does his replacement, whoever it is, have to run in a “confirmation” election next November?

I checked a site yesterday regard Senate-appointment laws, and VA’s said that in the case of a US Senate vacancy, the Governor appoints a successor, who then serves “until the next statewide general election” - and, then, thereafter, if re-elected, until the expiration of the normal Senate term.

Since Virginia elects its Governor in odd years, the next “statewide general election” would seem to be next November. So am I right in thinking that any replacement Senator would have to run again in 2017, and/or again in 2018 (the normal expiration of Tim Kaine’s term)?

Maybe it’s just needless worry, but in a Senate which appears to be looking at a very narrow margin of control in the next Congress, every Dem seat is going to count (and state races have much more potential for mischief) - I’m wondering if this may become an issue for the next Administration.