Results still fluctuating in 5th Congressional District race

Staff reports

Published: November 10, 2008

A week after Election Day, vote totals are still fluctuating in the 5th Congressional District race.

Tom Perriello, 34, declared himself the winner Friday over incumbent Virgil Goode, 62, by a total of 745 votes. Perriello’s lead appeared to have dropped to 407 votes Monday, according to the State Board of Elections Web site, but later reverted to 745.

Goode, who lost at least 5 percent of his support in every county and city in the district compared to the 2006 election, said Friday he is waiting until Nov. 24, when the state board certifies the results, to decide what action he would pursue. He also said that a declaration of victory is premature and that he is hoping for a miracle.

According to the latest update from the state board, Perriello’s vote total is 158,712. Goode’s is 157,967.

Results are still not official and could change throughout the canvassing process, said Susan Pollard, the state board’s director of communications.