Tom Perriello
Party: Democrat
State: Virginia - 5th District
What you need to know: In Congress, Perriello has voted his conscience and in the best interest of his constituents.
Democrat - Incumbent
Endorsed for U.S. House of Representatives by Council for a Livable World Candidate Fund
Freshman Rep. Tom Perriello (D) is facing a tough electoral challenge in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District. Perriello won election over 6 term incumbent Rep. Virgil Goode by only 727 votes in 2008. This narrow victory in a district that elected both George W. Bush and John McCain in Presidential elections has made Perriello a top Republican target this year.
His ability to present his populist positions in terms of his religious faith was a key factor in his victory in many of the culturally conservative communities in this district.
Perriello took an unusual path to Congress. After receiving his law degree from Yale University, Perriello accepted an assignment working to end atrocities in the West African countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone, which had suffered long civil wars fueled by blood diamonds. His work with child soldiers, amputees, and local pro-democracy groups in Sierra Leone played a significant role in the peace and reconciliation process that ended twelve years of violence in that country.
Perriello then became Special Advisor and spokesperson for the International Prosecutor during the showdown that forced Liberian dictator Charles Taylor from power without violence. After this success, Perriello served as a national security analyst for the Century Foundation. He has worked inside Darfur and twice in Afghanistan.
In 2004, Perriello launched a political and social movement to bring communities of faith together to advocate for progressive causes. He helped found FaithfulAmerica.org and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good to fight for children’s health care, a higher minimum wage, environmental stewardship, and responsible solutions in Iraq. His ability to present his populist positions in terms of his religious faith was a key factor in his victory in many of the culturally conservative communities in this district.
In Congress, Perriello has established a strong progressive voting record. He voted in favor of President Obama’s initiatives on health care, climate change and the economic stimulus – the only freshman Representative from a district won by McCain to support all three. He has voted in support of PeacePAC positions on missile defense and Pentagon spending.
Republicans have rallied around State Senator Robert Hurt. Hurt’s positions on defense and foreign stand in stark contrast to Perrielllo’s support of pragmatic diplomacy. Hurt is a supporter of military solutions to foreign policy crises:
“This is not the time to cut [military] funding. This is not the time to use the military to engage in new, politically correct social experiments. This is not the time to try brave, loyal CIA agents in courts of law, tying them up in costly legal battles when they have already been investigated and exonerated for alleged “war crimes.” As a Member of Congress I will ensure that we fully fund our military operations at home and abroad so that we can successfully fight The War on Terror and act before terrorists strike.”
Republicans believe that this race is one of their best opportunities to win back a Democratic seat. A number of public polls back up this position, and Republicans are investing in large amounts of money on television ads attacking Perriello.
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