November 24, 2008

20 days after election day the results for the 5th district race have been certified, declaring congressman elect Tom Perriello the winner.

"I'll tell you it's one of the biggest upsets in the country and it means so much that people put that much faith in me as a first time candidate," said Perriello.

But with a slim margin of victory, only 745 votes out of 316,000 cast, congressman Virgil Goode says he will seek a recount.

"At 0.23%, which is very close, we'll just have to see how it goes," said Goode.

Because the loss is below .5%, taxpayers will have to pay, but perriello says he's not worried about a recount.

"That's congressman Goode's decision, it's certainly within his rights to do so. It will cost some money and some time but we're focused on the transition and moving forward. I don't think there's any reason to believe they'll be any substantial gains much less 745 votes," said Perriello.

But Perriello did have to make substantial gains to make it to this point. overcoming a more than 30 point deficit in the 5th district race.

"I started this campaign with a crazy idea that people are smarter, more decent than our politicians give them credit for and if we lay out a tough love message that this thing's not turning around tomorrow and if we do these few things we might be able to see real progress down the road," said Perriello.

Goode says a large reason for the comeback, Albemarle County and Charlottesville.

"My opponent for example got a 25,000 lead out of Albemarle and Charlottesville and that was tough to overcome," said Goode.

And he says that if after a recount the results remain the same, He'll hold no hard feelings.

"If it turns out that he wins, I will congratulate him and wish him well," said Goode.