October 7, 2012

Former 5th District Congressman Tom Perriello held a meet and greet Sunday afternoon with local Democrats in honor of Gen. John Douglass, the man hoping to take the U.S. House seat back from the Republicans.

The independent vote in Virginia will not only play a crucial part in the presidential election but in the 5th District congressional race, as well.

Perriello says Douglass has the experience to catch independent votes.

"I think most people are independents. They really are looking for a person who gets their experiences, and I think they notice from his experience in the military and in business, he is a guy who is not about frills. He's about solving problems and getting things done," Perriello said.

Douglass says he appreciates the constant support from the former congressman, who he described as knowing a lot about central Virginia and the people of the 5th District.

"Tom has been a great supporter, and it means an enormous amount. Everywhere you go in the 5th District, people love Tom, so to have him and his mom as supporters is huge," Douglass said.

Douglass said he's excited for the debate against his opponent, incumbent Rep. Robert Hurt, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, in Danville. He hopes to continue pushing the poll numbers up.

"[Douglass has] represented our country in uniform and wants to continue to serve in this new capacity," Perriello said. "He's taken this race which most people thought was a reach at best and turned it into a real horse race."

"I've got this army behind me with my wife, Tom, his mom and all of the people in the 5th District who have come out to support me," Douglass said.