The dust has apparently settled. With a 745-vote lead, Tom Perriello, Democratic candidate for the Fifth District Congressional seat, has declared victory over Republican incumbent Virgil Goode.
"I am proud and humbled to be elected as the next congressman from the Fifth District of Virginia," he said, according to a press release from the Perriello campaign.
“With the votes in and the extensive bipartisan canvass process effectively complete, the results are clear: Virginians want change in Washington to get this economy turned around.”
According to the press release, Perriello has began the transition process, “so that I’m ready on day one to get our economy back on track and bring jobs back to our communities,” he said.
The campaign reports that Perriello’s transition effort will be led by former Fifth District Congressman L.F. Payne.
Goode, however, has not conceded.
Earlier today, Goode released a statement claiming reporting irregularities that will likely result in a recount. “While current unofficial tallies have me trailing my opponent, these irregularities have cast doubt on the reported totals. It is essential that we get to the bottom of these problems and insist on a thorough and proper vote counting process. We will continue to fight to make sure that every single legitimate vote in the Fifth District is accurately counted and reported.”