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D Democratic · U.S. House 5, Virginia · Nov 3, 2026

Tom
S. P. Perriello

Former U.S. Rep. and diplomat Tom Perriello runs as the 2026 Democratic challenger in Virginia's 5th Congressional District.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
25
positions
10
endorsements
21
tomperriello.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Bluesky(opens in a new tab)YouTube(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponents John J. McGuire III R+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

Tom S. P. Perriello is a Democratic candidate for Virginia's 5th Congressional District in the 2026 general election, challenging Republican incumbent Rep. John McGuire. He previously represented the same district in the U.S. House from 2009 to 2011. 39

Before and after his time in Congress, Perriello held a range of international and diplomatic roles. He worked as a senior adviser to the prosecutor at the Special Court for Sierra Leone and with the International Center for Transitional Justice. Most recently, he served as U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, a post he held until 2025. 912

Perriello earned a B.A. and J.D. from Yale University. He lives outside Charlottesville, Virginia, in Ivy, which serves as the mailing address for his 2026 campaign. 79

Perriello won the Democratic nomination for the 5th District seat and launched his general election campaign in August 2026, focusing on issues such as lowering costs for working families. Polls ahead of Election Day showed a tightening race. 116

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 5, Virginia
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Democratic candidate for U.S. House, Virginia's 5th Congressional District (2026)
Website
tomperriello.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 8
    news
    The New Republic reports Perriello campaign stressing data centers, AI concerns, and utility costs

    The New Republic reported that Perriello's campaign was emphasizing data centers, AI concerns, and utility costs as additional issues, suggesting Democrats might be competitive in the district.

    Dems Might Just Have a Shot in This Very Unlikely District · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 5
    poll
    Poll gives McGuire a narrow lead over Perriello in 5th District race

    A poll reported by the Chatham Star-Tribune gave McGuire a narrow lead over Perriello in Virginia's 5th District ahead of the November 3 general election.

    Poll gives McGuire narrow lead in 5th race | News · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 5
    news
    Perriello launches '24 Hours of Tom' district-wide campaign tour, stops in Lynchburg

    Perriello campaigned in Lynchburg as part of a 24-hour district tour. He connected fuel costs to the war in Iran and argued that ending it would help lower prices.

    Tom Perriello brings '24 Hours of Tom' campaign to ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 2
    news
    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Rep. Jennifer McClellan campaign with Perriello in Charlottesville

    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Virginia Rep. Jennifer McClellan joined Perriello at a Charlottesville get-out-the-vote rally as the 5th District race intensified.

    Perriello holds Charlottesville rally with support from Moore ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 1
    poll
    Washington Post–George Mason poll shows McGuire leading Perriello 51%–45% among likely voters

    A Washington Post–George Mason University Schar School poll found McGuire ahead of Perriello 51% to 45% among likely voters, with a margin of error of about 4.5–4.6 percentage points.

    5th District race tightens ahead of Election Day, according ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 30
    endorsement
    Alliance for American Leadership endorses Perriello, citing his diplomacy and humanitarian work

    The Alliance for American Leadership, which describes itself as a bipartisan coalition, endorsed Perriello, citing his background as a diplomat and his humanitarian work.

    Coalition Fighting for Humanitarian Aid Endorses Former ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 28
    endorsement
    Former Republican Rep. Denver Riggleman endorses Perriello, launches 'Republicans for Tom' effort

    Former Republican Rep. Denver Riggleman and other current and former Republicans endorsed Perriello, with Riggleman urging Republicans to cross party lines to support him. A 'Republicans for Tom' effort also launched the same day.

    Former Rep. Riggleman gives Perriello endorsement · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 28
    news
    Perriello lays out health care platform, stressing lower premiums and Medicaid support

    Health care was a prominent campaign topic. Perriello called for lower premiums, continued Medicaid support, and preventing what he described as a Medicaid 'cliff,' blaming McGuire's actions for expected cost increases.

    Perriello lays out health care platform as 5th District race ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 24
    debate
    McGuire declines ABC13/University of Lynchburg debate; Perriello agreed to participate

    WSET reported that ABC13 and the University of Lynchburg offered an October 13 debate. Perriello agreed; McGuire declined. McGuire had previously said he would debate only if Perriello apologized for accusing him of insider trading.

    City council candidates agree to debate; McGuire declines ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 22
    endorsement
    200+ medical professionals sign open letter endorsing Perriello; he appears with clinicians

    Perriello appeared with health professionals after an open letter supporting him was signed by more than 200 medical professionals. He emphasized health-care affordability and warned of effects from Medicaid funding reductions.

    Perriello joined by clinicians to discuss healthcare after 200+ endorse him in open letter · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Sep 18
    news
    Perriello and Sen. Mark Warner appear at early-voting kickoff rally in Charlottesville

    At an early-voting kickoff event, Perriello joined Sen. Mark Warner and tied his affordability message to health costs, tariffs, and what he called 'forever wars.' He also said a Democratic House majority would restore 'checks and balances.' Early in-person voting began this day.

    Tom Perriello & Mark Warner greet voters at early voting ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Rep. Pramila Jayapal official
    Listed on campaign endorsement page; no date given. tomperriello.com
  • Rep. Sarah McBride official
    Listed on campaign endorsement page; no date given. tomperriello.com
  • Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg official
    Listed on campaign endorsement page; no date given. tomperriello.com
  • Rep. James Walkinshaw official
    Listed on campaign endorsement page; no date given. tomperriello.com
  • Sen. Mark Kelly official
    Listed on campaign endorsement page; no date given. tomperriello.com
  • Sen. Elizabeth Warren official
    Listed on campaign endorsement page; no date given. tomperriello.com
  • Alliance for American Leadership organization
    Endorsed Perriello on October 9, 2026, according to the organization's announcement. a4al.org · Oct 9, 2026
  • Farmers for Tom Perriello organization
    Local farmers launched the group on October 9, 2026; described as backing rather than a formal endorsement by a farmers' union or statewide agricultural organization. 29news.com · Oct 9, 2026
  • Former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) official
    Endorsed Perriello alongside other current and former Republicans in the 'Republicans for Tom' effort reported September 28, 2026. cbs19news.com · Sep 28, 2026
  • Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez official
    Endorsed Perriello for Congress in Virginia's 5th District on September 24, 2026. washingtonexaminer.com · Sep 24, 2026
  • More than 200 medical professionals organization
    Over 200 medical professionals signed an open letter endorsing Perriello, reported September 22, 2026. 29news.com · Sep 22, 2026
  • Indivisible Lynchburg organization
    Endorsement-tracking page records endorsement on August 9, 2026. joinstump.com · Aug 9, 2026
  • End Citizens United organization
    Campaign stated Perriello had been endorsed by End Citizens United by August 4, 2026. tomperriello.com · Aug 4, 2026
  • Beth Macy, Democratic nominee for Virginia's 6th District official
    Endorsed Perriello on June 26, 2026, in a reciprocal endorsement announcement. cardinalnews.org · Jun 26, 2026
  • League of Conservation Voters Action Fund organization
    LCV Action Fund endorsed Perriello; announcement dated June 4, 2026. lcv.org · Jun 4, 2026
  • U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine official
    Listed as endorser on campaign endorsement page; support reported by April 15, 2026. tomperriello.com · Apr 15, 2026
  • Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi official
    Listed as endorser on campaign endorsement page; support reported by April 15, 2026. tomperriello.com · Apr 15, 2026
  • Former Gov. Ralph Northam official
    Listed as endorser on campaign endorsement page; support reported by April 15, 2026. tomperriello.com · Apr 15, 2026
  • U.S. Sen. Mark Warner official
    Listed as endorser on campaign endorsement page; support reported by April 15, 2026. tomperriello.com · Apr 15, 2026
  • Gov. Abigail Spanberger official
    Listed as endorser on campaign endorsement page; support reported by April 15, 2026. tomperriello.com · Apr 15, 2026
  • Mayor Deanna Reed of Harrisonburg official
    Campaign reported her endorsement on March 27, 2026. tomperriello.com · Mar 27, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$2.14M
Spent
$629K
Cash on hand
$1.51M

As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6VA05217(opens in a new tab)

Sources 25

  1. [1] Tom Perriello (D) – VA-05 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  2. [2] Coalition Fighting for Humanitarian Aid Endorses Former ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] Farmers advocate for Tom Perriello(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  4. [4] Dems Might Just Have a Shot in This Very Unlikely District(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  5. [5] Poll gives McGuire narrow lead in 5th race | News(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  6. [6] Tom Perriello brings '24 Hours of Tom' campaign to ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  7. [7] Perriello holds Charlottesville rally with support from Moore ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  8. [8] 5th District race tightens ahead of Election Day, according ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  9. [9] 5th District Q&A: Cooke Harvey, John McGuire, Tom Perriello(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  10. [10] Former Rep. Riggleman gives Perriello endorsement(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  11. [11] Perriello lays out health care platform as 5th District race ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  12. [12] Should Congress rein in AI? In this candidate Q&A, two 5th ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  13. [13] AOC endorses Democratic hopeful in deep-red Virginia ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  14. [14] City council candidates agree to debate; McGuire declines ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  15. [15] Perriello joined by clinicians to discuss healthcare after 200+ endorse him in open letter(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  16. [16] Tom Perriello & Mark Warner greet voters at early voting ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  17. [17] Stump | The Endorsement Marketplace for Local Candidates(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
  18. [18] One-on-one with former Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello(opens in a new tab) Sep 5, 2026
  19. [19] Tom Perriello on X(opens in a new tab) Aug 7, 2026
  20. [20] Perriello Launches General Election Campaign to Lower Costs ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
  21. [21] Notes from the Square: 2 former 6th District competitors ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 26, 2026
  22. [22] LCV Action Fund Endorses New Slate of Candidates for U.S. House ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 4, 2026
  23. [23] News & Press(opens in a new tab) Dec 9, 2025
  24. [24] Endorsements — Tom Perriello for Congress(opens in a new tab) Dec 4, 2025
  25. [25] Issues and Priorities(opens in a new tab) Dec 4, 2025
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