Tom Perriello, the Albemarle native challenging 12-year incumbent Virgil Goode for his congressional seat, just got a big boost from national Democrats. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced today that it has moved Perriello’s campaign to the Red to Blue Program and will supply additional money and people to help spread the gospel of Tom.
“The biggest challenge for Perriello is to continue to become better known,” said DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen today on a conference call with reporters. “That’s why the resources he’s put together have been so important, because it’s going to give him a change to get his message of economic opportunity out. By all indications, when he gets his message out, it will resonate.” The decision to support comes both because of the amount of money Perriello has raised—more than $900,000—as well as his successes so far in reaching out to voters.
Perriello’s campaign is one of 44 in the Red to Blue Program. In 2006, the program provided an average of more than $400,000 for the races it supported.
Goode, meanwhile, has been dealing with publicity of a less positive sort this week after being mocked by Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" for riding in a Hummer-drawn float in a Fourth of July parade.
Tom Perriello is going to get even more support in his effort to beat Republican incumbent Virgil Goode in the Fifth District, which includes Charlottesville.