In a surprising twist to the Virginia 5th District House of Representative’s race last night, Democratic challenger Tom Perriello came to a standoff with Republican incumbent Virgil Goode, who has served six terms.
As of 3 a.m. the Virginia State Board of Elections Web site reported that Perriello had received 50.31 percent of the votes compared to Goode’s 49.63 percent, with 241 of 244 precincts reporting. Goode, however, had not yet conceded victory as of that time.
This outcome came as a surprise to many experts; The Associated Press called the election in Goode’s favor before 9:30 p.m., and many Goode supporters at an election night event for the incumbent House member cheered the supposed victory.
“This is a victory for Republicans to keep Virgil in office even if we don’t get McCain,” said Deedee Vidurant, president of Smith Mountain Lake Republican Women’s Club, when the announcement was made.
To The Associated Press’ news, however, Cordel Faulk, University Center for Politics director of communications, said in an interview with NBC 29 that The Associated Press is “bolder than I am.”
Perriello and his team “are confident at the end of the day that we are going to win this thing,” Perriello said at his election party at the Gravity Lounge in downtown Charlottesville. In the City of Charlottesville, Perriello, an Albemarle County native, received about 80.77 percent of votes, according to the State Board of Elections.
Charlottesville voter Michelle Taylor demonstrated her support for Perriello, noting, “I know Perriello’s going to win — this is unreal because normally Goode blows [his opponent] out, now he has a contender who’s doing very well, and voters are voting what they feel.”
Still, other voters believe Goode has a better chance of winning when all the votes are tallied. Phil Hager said Goode embodies what his community stands for.
Regardless of the eventual outcome, Perriello put up a surprising fight. His success did not come without help, though, explained Dan Keyserling, deputy director of communications at the Center for Politics and former Cavalier Daily executive editor.
“Tom owes the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee a lot,” he said. “A couple of months ago they put him in their Red to Blue program,” in which “DCCC infuses money into districts they think are competitive.”
A strong turnout by youth voters also may have played an important role in the 5th District and the nation at large.
State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D), who plans to run for governor in 2009, commented, “I think the college vote made a difference, maybe the difference.”
Many students contacted by The Cavalier Daily said they were excited by Perriello’s success in the race. First-year College student Marvin Richards, a member of University Democrats and Hoos for Obama, noted, “I wasn’t surprised but I’m really happy for Tom Perriello,” emphasizing the fact that Perriello “came from really low and worked so diligently — he’s really good.”
The outcome of this election will have a significant impact on the nation as a whole, Keyserling added.
“One way or another it shows to Charlottesville and to the national Democratic Party that this seat is poachable,” Keyserling said, adding that if the election does not go in Perriello’s favor, “a candidate might be able to unseat Goode in two years.”
Other House races across the country were not as closely contested. The number of Democrats in the House increased from 236 to 259, election results show as of press time, and the number of Republicans decreased from 199 to 176. These changes will aid the Democrats when it comes time to pass their agenda through Congress, Keyserling noted.
Samantha Koon and Kelly Morenus contributed to this article.
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