Perriello Completes Marathon Tour of Virginia’s Fifth District

From family farms and first responders to late-night prayer circles and wallet-busting fill-ups, Perriello connects with Voters in all 24 localities of Virginia’s Fifth District about rising costs, rural healthcare, and rooting out corruption

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — After 26 straight hours of campaigning, traversing over 600 miles, and making stops in all 24 counties and independent cities of Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District, Tom Perriello completed “24 Hours of Tom” on Tuesday, wrapping up a marathon journey across Southside and Central Virginia.

“This campaign marathon is based on a simple promise: Because so many folks have to work a double shift just to pay the bills, I am ready to work a double shift for the people of this district when I get to Congress,” said Perriello. “I campaigned for 24 straight hours – and then kept going for two hours more – just to make sure that no county or city was left behind. Everyone deserves to be heard and deserves a champion in Congress.”

Perriello launched the tour at 8 a.m. on Monday morning at a small business in Amherst County and ended at 8 a.m. on Tuesday at a diner in Hanover County before making it home to Albemarle County for a final stop. Powered by three shifts of campaign organizers and a significant amount of caffeine, Perriello met with local farmers who are fed up with diesel and equipment costs, with healthcare providers criticizing McGuire for the deep cuts to rural health services, with Republicans for Tom to hear how we build a broad Coalition for Common Sense, and with volunteers encouraging early voting. During the graveyard shifts, Perriello did a ride-along with Charlottesville law enforcement and dropped off thank-you cookies from his mother with emergency responders.

The journey also highlighted the stark contrast between Perriello's commitment to showing up in every corner of the district and incumbent Congressman John McGuire's record in Washington. While McGuire has voted for cuts to Medicaid and backed policies driving up costs for farmers and families, all at the behest of Donald Trump and corporate lobbyists, Perriello has made lowering costs, raising wages, rooting out corruption, and restoring common sense the centerpieces of his campaign.

The 26-hour barnstorm comes as Virginia's Fifth District has emerged as an increasingly competitive battleground in the fight for control of the U.S. House. Perriello's campaign has drawn support from across the political spectrum, including former Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman, as voters look for a representative willing to put their communities ahead of party loyalty and even hostile neighbors and family members.

Media Availability

Following the completion of his 26-hour tour, Perriello is available for interviews with local and national media to discuss his conversations with voters across the Fifth District, the challenges facing rural communities, and the stakes of the November election.

To schedule an interview, contact Brytan Mendes at press@tomperriello.com or 917-544-5856.

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