News & Press

Tom Perriello knew when he cast his vote for the Affordable Care Act in 2010 that it may very well cost him his job as a freshman congressman.

He did it anyway.

Because it was the right thing to do.

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, will continue to run for Congress, whether it’s in the existing 5th Congressional District, or the 6th district under a new congressional map proposed by Democrats in Richmond.

Tom Perriello: 100+ Hours of Town Halls

John McGuire: Zero Town Halls

In case you missed it, the Daily Progress on Thursday reported that “many constituents” across the current 5th Congressional District have said that U.S. Rep. John McGuire is “especially weak this election cycle because of his refusal to host public events and engage with the community.”

Full Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Full Charlottesville City Council and Commonwealth’s Attorneys Endorse Tom Perriello’s Congressional Bid

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Former Congressman Tom Perriello today welcomed the consolidated support of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Charlottesville City Council, and both Albemarle and Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorneys.

Mike Pruitt, who is currently a member of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, announced on Wednesday that he would end his campaign for the congressional seat currently held by Republican John McGuire.

Instead, Pruitt is endorsing fellow Democrat Tom Perriello, who represented the Fifth District from 2009 to 2011, when he lost to Republican Robert Hurt.

Congressional Candidate Mike Pruitt Exits Race and Throws Support Behind Perriello 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Former Congressman Tom Perriello welcomed the endorsement of Albemarle Supervisor Mike Pruitt, who today announced that he has ended his campaign and will support Perriello in flipping this Congressional District. 

A closer look at the proposed redistricting map reveals some opportunities for candidates that the mapmakers may not have intended.

“I am fired up to keep fighting for my hometown and the region that I love to get our voice back in Congress. Folks across the Blue Ridge and the Valley know that I have been fighting for decades to increase wages and access to affordable health care for families....District lines may shift, but my values and commitments to working families across Virginia never will.”

Perriello, a Charlottesville native, also raised more than triple the amount brought in by his challenger for the Democratic nomination, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors member Mike Pruitt.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, said Perriello enters the race as a clear favorite for the Democratic nomination, citing his experience, name recognition and political network.

“Perriello is a ringer for the Democratic nomination,” Sabato said. “He has national, international, as well as local contacts galore. He has the financing that he’s going to need to run. He has the right positioning for this particular year.”

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, is attempting to make a comeback, 15 years after he left office, as he campaigns in Lynchburg and surrounding counties, with the goal of winning back his old seat next November.

The endorsements are rolling in and the opponents are dropping out as Democrat Tom Perriello prepares to take another swing at his old seat in Congress.

Calling the current political situation "an all-hands on deck moment," former Virginia Congressman Tom Perriello announced his comeback candidacy in the 5th district on Tuesday morning.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Former Congressman Tom Perriello of Charlottesville today announced his candidacy for Congress in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District.