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See below for press releases from the DCCC and the Tom Perriello campaign regarding Perriello being added to the “red-to-blue” program, thus officially putting VA05 on the map for House Democrats to win in November! This comes after a new poll found that “After voters hear positive information about both candidates, the race flips, with Perriello leading McGuire 47% to 44%”; an d even more impressive, “After voters hear about McGuire’s record, Perriello opens an 11-point lead, 51% to 39%.” In sum: go Tom!
From the DCCC:
Former Congressman Tom Perriello Added to DCCC’s Coveted ‘Red to Blue’ Program
Perriello will flip VA-05 blue and help take back the House majority
Today, the DCCC announced that former Congressman Tom Perriello has been added to the committee’s highly competitive ‘Red to Blue’ program, signaling that the DCCC is invested in providing Perriello, a top-tier candidate, with the support needed to continue building a winning campaign as he runs for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District.
“Washington desperately needs more people like Tom Perriello who have the backbone to stand up to special interests and the courage to put their own community first, regardless of the politics. Tom has proven that he will fight for the Blue Ridge no matter the cost, while his opponent John McGuire has come to represent the Washington corruption that is costing Virginia families. That contrast is why Tom is poised to flip this seat in November,” said DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene.
Born and raised in the Charlottesville area, Tom Perriello is a lifelong native of Virginia and the Blue Ridge who has spent his career fighting corruption and standing up to the powerful on behalf of working people. In 2008, Tom was elected to Congress and provided a courageous vote for the passage of the Affordable Care Act — lowering costs and increasing access to health care for Virginians, even when it meant sacrificing his seat. He has proven he will put Virginia families above all else, and that he doesn’t answer to anybody but the people he serves.
New polling released this week shows that VA-05 is a pure toss up race. A corrupt and scandal-plagued incumbent in McGuire, a strong challenger in Perriello, and favorable national environment for Democrats will put Virginia’s 5th Congressional District in play come November.
Catch up quick on the contrast between Perriello and McGuire:Red to Blue is a highly competitive and battle-tested DCCC program that arms top-tier candidates with organizational and fundraising support to help them continue building winning campaigns. Additionally, through Red to Blue the DCCC provides strategic guidance, staff resources, candidate trainings, fundraising support, and more.
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From the Perriello campaign:
DCCC NAMES PERRIELLO TO “RED TO BLUE,” PUTTING VA-05 AMONG NATION’S MOST COMPETITIVE SEATS
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has named former Congressman and U.S. diplomat Tom Perriello to its highly competitive Red to Blue program, cementing Virginia’s Fifth District as one of the country’s top Democratic pickup opportunities in the fight for control of the House.
“We defied the odds before and we’re on track to do it again, because Virginians want someone who will fight the corruption in DC instead of trying to get rich off it,” said Perriello. “John McGuire voted to take over $3,000 out of the pockets of working families to reward the dark money donors who sent him to Congress. He’s about to face a reckoning from our Common Sense Coalition that is determined to get prices down, corruption out, and common sense back at the wheel.”
This change of status follows the release of the first major poll of the campaign earlier this week, which showed Perriello already trending ahead of John Mcguire in a district that the GOP won by 15 points just two years ago. The poll by Expedition Strategies showed the race within the margin of error, and flipping to a Perriello lead after voters were provided with public biographies of the two candidates. After learning about John McGuire’s record, Perriello opens an 11-point lead.
“Washington desperately needs more people like Tom Perriello who have the backbone to stand up to special interests and the courage to put their own community first, regardless of the politics. Tom has proven that he will fight for the Blue Ridge no matter the cost, while his opponent John McGuire has come to represent the Washington corruption that is costing Virginia families. That contrast is why Tom is poised to flip this seat in November,” said DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene.
The DCCC’s Red to Blue program identifies the most competitive Democratic challengers in the country, candidates who have demonstrated the fundraising strength, grassroots organization, and electoral viability to flip Republican-held seats. Inclusion in the program signals national Democratic investment and confidence that the race is winnable.
The Red to Blue designation reflects growing national recognition that McGuire’s record has made him one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents in the country. McGuire voted for the legislation that is closing rural hospitals and driving up healthcare costs across the district. He sold housing stocks days before new regulations took effect and bought SpaceX stock while sitting on committees that oversee the company’s federal contracts. He has voted 100% of the time with the corporate donors who fund his campaign. And he has never once held a town hall to answer for any of it.
Perriello has always refused donations from lobbyists and corporate PACs. He has pledged to trade no individual stocks during his time in Congress and to fight to end the flood of dark money in politics. He has been endorsed by End Citizens United, one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption advocacy groups.
Perriello previously represented Virginia’s Fifth District, the only Democrat in a generation to have flipped a congressional district west of Richmond. He has spent 20 years leading non-profit organizations fighting to increase wages, expand affordable healthcare, and protect the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Tom has also served two tours representing the United States as a Special Envoy. He has been endorsed by more than 70 local and statewide leaders.
