Perriello’s record fundraising shows thirst for new leadership

by Alan Zimmerman (4/1/08)

Tom Perriello’s efforts to unseat Virgil Goode and send a send a Democrat to Congress from the Fifth District took a huge step forward this week as the campaign announced it has raised over $600,000, more than any of Goode’s previous challengers have ever raised.

In addition, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has now placed Goode on its list of “Targeted Republicans” in 2008, specifically citing Tom as a “strong Democratic candidate fighting for change.”

Our district joins three other Congressional Districts in Virginia, the GOP-held 10th and 2nd, and the open seat in the 11th, on the DCCC’s list of targeted races.

The Perriello campaign reports that it has better than $500,000 cash on hand.

More than 1,200 people contributed to Tom’s campaign in the first quarter alone, including citizens of all 22 counties and municipalities in the Fifth. The campaign raised $340,000 in the quarter, with 98% of that amount coming from individuals.

In fact, Tom’s campaign raised twice as much from Fifth district voters in the first quarter of 2008 as Goode raised in all of 2007.

"The tremendous success of this fundraising quarter shows that people are ready for leadership focused on right and wrong, not right and left,” Perriello said. “I've been humbled to witness support from every corner of the district, and from people from all walks of life - farmers and union workers, faith leaders and business leaders, long-time political donors and first-time political givers, Republicans and Independents. People want jobs, health care, and a responsible solution in Iraq, and they want leaders who will get things done, not make excuses."

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