Perriello names part of transition team, targets House committees

5:45 p.m.

The Democratic majority in Congress is telling Tom Perriello he’s the guy.

Although the 5th District Congressional race is still not over, Perriello has maintained around a 745 vote lead over incumbent Republican Virgil Goode for most of the week.

Goode said he won’t concede and will not decide on whether to ask for a recount until the vote is certified on November 24.

Perriello will attend new member orientation starting this weekend on Capitol Hill.

He has already started talking committee appointments with Democratic leadership.

Perriello said he would prefer committees involving transportation, workforce development, and small businesses.

He believes those committees would have the most impact on Southside.

Perriello also said he would keep four offices open in his more tha 20 county district.

He said some offices could change locations.

Perriello spent Friday meeting with religious and civic leaders in Danville and Pittsylvania County.

He also named an eleven member “transition team” made up of current and former local leaders, as well as former Congressman L.F. Payne

————-

1:45 p.m.

From Scott Leamon,
WSLS Reporter, in the field

Democrat Tom Perriello is proceeding with preparing to take over as 5th district Congressman from Republican incumbent Virgil Goode, even though a recount is likely pending in the race.

Perriello met with Southside members of his transition team Friday afternoon in Danville. He named former 5th district Congressman L.F. Payne as the chairman of the transition committee.

Then Perriello added these local leaders:

• Danville City Councilman Rev. Larry Campbell Jr.
• Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors member Hank Davis
• Charlotte County businesswoman Catherine Maloney
• Former Martinsville Mayor Kimble Reynolds, Jr.
• Delegate Shannon Valentine, representing Virginia’s 23rd District
• Former Danville Mayor E. Linwood Wright

Perriello holds a 745 vote lead in the race, according to the State Board of Elections’ website. Once the election is certified, the losing candidate has ten days to request a recount if the race is closer than one percent of all of the votes cast.

The State Board of Elections is expected to certify the election on November 24th.

One unresolved question, will late arriving military absentee ballots be counted? The John McCain campaign sued Virginia over the issue. There will be a court hearing in Richmond on Monday, November 17th.

WSLS asked Perriello about the unresolved ballots. Perriello believes even if they are allowed, there will not be enough to make up the gap between himself and Congressman Goode.

With that in mind, Perriello said, “With the scope of the challenges facing the fifth district, we don’t have any time to lose in getting to work. I look forward to sitting down with local leaders from all over the district to get their suggestions as I prepare to fight for jobs and economic relief in Washington,“ in a news release.

Perriello added to us in person that he is looking forward to going to Washington D.C. next week for early orientation. Perriello says he plans to target two committees for assignment: Transportation and infrastructure, as well as the education committee. Perriello believes getting those two committees will help the 5th District the most.

Perriello says he will keep four offices in the district, but would not say where those offices would be at.

Scott will have more of his interview with Perriello, tonight on WSLS at 6:00 p.m.