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Fifth District: Perriello-Goode race tightening

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham
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Democrat Tom Perriello has cut into Republican Virgil Goode’s lead in the Fifth District congressional race, narrowing what had been a 34-point lead two months ago to 13 in a poll released today by Survey USA.

The new poll, conducted for WDBJ7 in Roanoke, has Goode at 55 percent and Perriello at 42 percent.

An August Survey USA poll had Goode ahead of Perriello by a 64 percent-to-30 percent margin.

Perriello spokesperson Jessica Barba attributed the narrowing to a recent run of negative TV ads by the Goode campaign.

“The reason we are gaining support is because Tom Perriello is offering real solutions on the economy, gas prices, and health care, when all we’ve seen from Congressman Goode is lies, false attacks, and ducking debates,” Barba said. “Rep. Goode has begun to air extremely negative and offensive ads that have drawn condemnation from the public and the media, with the Roanoke Times even calling for Goode to drop it. Congressman Goode is losing voters, and we are on the path to victory.”

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham, the king of "fringe media," a zero-time Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, and a member of zero Halls of Fame, is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].