Tom Perriello

Tom Perriello is a former congressman from Charlottesville who represented the 5th District from 2009 to 2011. He faces Republican Rep. John McGuire in a district Cook rates as solidly Republican, though the DCCC lists it as "in play"; a Washington Post-Schar School poll had McGuire ahead 51% to 45%.

On the ballot against John McGuire (R)

Why it matters: Democrats see the Charlottesville-to-Danville district, solidly Republican per Cook but listed by the DCCC as "in play," as a possible pickup, and Perriello is the last Democrat to have held the seat.

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The race at a glance

Race ratingLean RCook Political Report, Oct 27 source

Latest poll Perriello 45% 51% McGuire 4% undecided or other McGuire +6Wash. Post-Schar School, Oct 1. Checked 59 min ago. Every poll

Every poll in this race

Pollster	Date	Sample	Perriello	McGuire	Margin
Wash. Post-Schar School	Oct 1	600 LV · Margin of error ±4.6%	45%	51%	R +6

LV = likely voters, RV = registered voters. Polls listed by 270toWin. Each pollster name links to its own release.

In Tom's own words

**Tom Perriello**, Perriello on voters' economic concerns after winning the Democratic primary, Aug 4 source

Where Tom stands

Costs and tariffs: He says he would end tariffs that raised grocery prices and end the Iran war, which he says has driven up gas and fertilizer costs. source
Corruption: He promises to ban dark money and insider trading in politics and to reject donations from lobbyists and corporate PACs. source
Seniors, Social Security and Medicare: He says he would oppose cuts or privatization of Social Security and Medicare and fund home and community-based care so seniors can age in place. source

The record

Served one term in the U.S. House from Virginia's 5th District (2009–2011) and lost re-election in 2010 to Robert Hurt.
Served as U.S. Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa (2015–2016) and U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan (2024–2025).
Led the Center for American Progress Action Fund and was executive director of Open Society Foundations' U.S. Programs (2018–2023); lost the 2017 Democratic primary for Virginia governor.

ConfidentialThe GOP File

The file on John McGuire

McGuire, a former Navy SEAL and state senator, won the 2024 Republican primary over Rep. Bob Good by 50.3% to 49.7%, with Trump's endorsement, and then won the general election with 57%. source
McGuire serves on the House Armed Services and Oversight and Government Reform committees. source
Perriello's campaign links McGuire to higher living costs through his support of Trump's tariffs and the war in Iran. source

Voting in VA

Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Register by: Oct. 23, 2026; after that, voters can register and vote by provisional ballot in person through Election Day.
Early voting: In person Sept. 18 through 5:00 p.m. Oct. 31, 2026.
Mail ballots: Applications due by 5:00 p.m. Oct. 23, 2026; ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by noon Nov. 6.
Your state's official election site

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Also on the Virginia ballot

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Tom Perriello. Photo: Unknown photographer, Public domain

Profile sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Race data checked Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.