Goode vs. Perriello Continues

A numerical drama continues to unfold in Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District, as incumbent representative Virgil Goode (R) and challenger Tom Perriello (D) are locked in one of the nation’s closest races.  Vote totals from the Virginia State Board of Elections continue to change, and as of 2:20 PM Goode’s lead is a mere six votes out of over 314,000 cast.   At last count, Goode has received 157,421 votes, and Perriello has received 157,415.  The latest corrections have come from Appomattox County.

The following statement from Jessica Barba, Perriello’s communications director, appears on Perriello’s website:

We are clearly seeing a very close election with vote totals from different counties changing rapidly, and Tom Perriello remains confident that when everyone’s vote is counted he will win this election and move ahead with his agenda for economic revival in the fifth district. Right now, our focus is on making sure every single vote is counted and every single voice is heard. The results need to be certified and there are provisional ballots that need to be considered. We are confident that people in the fifth district want change and that we are going to be successful in this election in the end.

At an 11:00 AM press conference in Charlottesville today, Perriello refused to concede the race, saying that provisional ballots had not been counted and would likely move him ahead of Goode.

If Perriello prevails, his victory would be seen as a huge upset in the Fifth District, which Goode has represented since 1997.