McGuire claims victory as Perriello awaits final vote count in 5th District race

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Republican Representative John McGuire is declaring victory in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, while Democratic challenger Tom Perriello says he is not conceding as election administrators continue counting outstanding ballots.

The two candidates are responding differently to the results following a close race on Tuesday, November 3, that saw the lead shift as votes were reported across Central and Southside Virginia.

Perriello held an early lead before additional results moved McGuire ahead.

By Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, McGuire led Perriello by 8,639 votes. That margin narrowed to 8,059 votes by Wednesday afternoon, a change of just 580 votes.

Despite the margin, McGuire celebrated Tuesday night, telling those gathered at his election night watch party that he had secured a second term.

“By the grace of God and the endorsement from the good things we’ve done for the people in the district, I’m here to tell everyone we’ve won this race,” McGuire said.

The congressman continued his celebration Wednesday morning, appearing along a Charlottesville roadway with a large thank-you sign and waving to passing drivers.

In a statement released Wednesday, McGuire thanked his family, campaign staff and volunteers while pointing to his record during his first term.

“Despite $4.5 million in negative and false attacks on me poured onto the airwaves by my opponent, the truth prevailed,” McGuire wrote. “The people of Virginia’s Fifth District know who stands with them.”

The spending figure and characterization of the advertisements are claims made by McGuire’s campaign.

McGuire also highlighted efforts he said helped bring more than $20 billion in investments and 7,000 jobs to the district.

The congressman says he plans to continue representing the district regardless of how residents voted.

“Whether you voted for me or not, I will keep working hard every day to earn the trust of those who did not support me this time,” McGuire wrote.

Meanwhile, Perriello says the race is not over.

“Welcome to overtime,” Perriello told the crowd at his election night watch party at Kardinal Hall in Charlottesville.

The former congressman acknowledged that determining a winner could take several days, referencing his experience with close elections.

Perriello defeated longtime Republican Congressman Virgil Goode by just 727 votes in 2008 following a recount. He served one term before losing his reelection bid to Republican Robert Hurt in 2010.

During his Tuesday night remarks, Perriello expressed confidence that his campaign could still win once all eligible ballots were counted.

“We will make sure that we protect every single vote that was cast, we count every single vote that was cast, and together, in a few days, we will have a great victory in this district together,” Perriello said.

In a Wednesday statement, Perriello acknowledged trailing McGuire but argued that enough outstanding ballots remained to potentially change the outcome.

“We are behind in the count, but the next two days will include a canvass, ballot curing, and counting more outstanding ballots than the current lead,” Perriello wrote.

The canvass involves reviewing and verifying election results. Ballot curing allows voters to correct certain issues with absentee ballots, while outstanding ballots may include provisional and eligible absentee ballots not yet counted.

The election comes during a difficult time for McGuire and his family.

His father, John McGuire Jr., died shortly before Election Day, and the congressman attended his father’s viewing Wednesday.

“I’ve been pretty strong, you know, cause we have to win a campaign,” McGuire said. “Please pray for my family. My dad would give you the shirt off his back.”

Election administrators will continue reviewing unofficial results and counting eligible outstanding ballots before the results are certified.

The remaining ballots could change the margin between the candidates, although it remains unclear whether they will change the outcome.

For now, the race remains unresolved as election officials complete the count and certify the results.

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