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Published: March 12, 2009
A stunning upset loss in last year’s election ended Virgil H. Goode Jr.‘s six-term grip on the 5th District U.S. House of Representatives seat.
Since being unseated by Tom Perriello, Goode apparently has participated quietly in political functions, but not much has been heard from him.
On Wednesday, however, Goode reappeared on the political radar as he filed a statement of candidacy form with the Federal Election Commission.
The move doesn’t mean that Goode will run in the 2010 election.
He said he’s keeping his options open.
“It enables one to look at the situation and to raise money and spend money. But I haven’t decided whether I’ll run,“ Goode said in a telephone interview Thursday.
He said he has remained active in political circles, and plans to help Republican delegates in upcoming campaigns.
On Thursday, Jessica Barba, press secretary for Perriello, D-Ivy, said they’d heard of Goode’s filing.
She said they had no comment.
Gerry Scimeca, communications director for the Virginia Republican Party, was glad to hear of the filing.
“I think that’s great news,“ he said. “I think a lot of people will be excited about that.“
Scimeca said Goode is still immensely popular in the 5th District and that he has seen the former representative at several events.
He took a shot at Perriello, President Barack Obama and other Democrats, saying that “with the profligate spending” by the federal government, Goode would be a welcome sight come the 2010 election.
Larry J. Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said Goode’s move is not unexpected.
“That’s not a formal announcement,“ he said. “It’s a placeholder, it keeps the door open.“
He added that Goode’s filing is “an important signal” that he is serious about a potential run in 2010.
“And it makes sense. It was the closest race in the country,“ Sabato explained.
Perriello was helped by Obama and the surge in voter turnout, Sabato said.
“That may not happen again,“ he noted.
Perriello’s upset victory didn’t become official until December, when a recount of more than 316,860 votes confirmed it.
The two-day recount covered votes cast in 22 localities, including Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene and Nelson.
The original results had Perriello winning by 745 votes. The recount lowered his margin of victory to 722.
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Reader Reactions
The political bickering that goes on between republicans and democrats in these comments is quite comical. It sounds like children arguing in the school yard.
Meanwhile, the two political parties are robbing the nation blind and trampling on The Constitution they have sworn to defend.
Keep on arguing though I’m sure that will solve our problems.
Good Luck Virgil.
Mr. Perriello is at present Nancy Pelosi’s and Barney Frank’s lap puppy. The 1.5 million brought here was simply and unabashedly stolen from future generations of Americans. How can anyone possibly be proud of that? Jackson Pollock…your painting from the 1950’s, “Lavender Mist” perfectly portrays the past 50 days of the Obama and Democrat controlled government…one mess right after another.
ravencottage. “Mr. Perriello maybe a total loser?“ Let’s see - in the past two days he has brought over $1.5 million to this region, he is articulate, he doesn’t make this region look like Mayberry with Barney as our representative (I don’t mean to be unkind, either), and he doesn’t have just one issue to deal with (unlike Mr. Goode’s silly immigration issue that shows disdain for a Mexican restaurant flying a Mexican flag - sheesh). Have you been sleeping under a log for the past month and a half? This region needs to move forward, not back to the 50s.
Mr. Goode, a homophobic “yes man” to the Bush administration, is NOT what we need in Congress. If we want to be under-represented in Congress, then all we need is a Republican (I don’t mean to be unkind) Barney Fife. Goode is a man of the 90s; Perriello is a man of the 21st century. Peace.
I agree 100%! I think Mr. Goode is a smart man, but I hope people in congress don’t think everyone in Pittsylvania County talks like that!
Well, I truly do not wish to be unkind and since I have been accused of actually being Mr. Goode by some other posters, it is my hope that the former Congressman takes the time to seek out a speech coach and does something about that bizarre accent before seeking to regain a seat in Congress. Mr. Perriello maybe a total loser but at least he doesn’t sound like a phony hick. Further, if Mr. Goode doesn’t rid himself of all of the folks who orchestrated the disaster of his last campaign he can kiss Congress goodbye forever.
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