Virginia Democrat Tom Perriello has announced his bid to return to Congress, challenging first-term Republican Rep. John McGuire in the 5th District. Perriello highlighted the rising costs of food, electricity, and health care as central issues, accusing McGuire and Congress of policies that he says are driving up prices for Virginians.
The 5th District, which spans Charlottesville and parts of south-central Virginia, was carried by Donald Trump by 12 points in last year’s election. While the district is not currently classified as competitive by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, it could become more favorable for Democrats under a potential new congressional map being drawn by state legislators. Perriello previously represented an earlier version of the district, winning election in 2008 before losing his seat in 2010 following Republican attacks over his vote for the Affordable Care Act, a decision he has consistently defended as a long-term benefit.
Perriello’s political career also includes a 2017 gubernatorial primary run, service at the State Department under Presidents Obama and Biden, and leadership roles at the Center for American Progress and the Open Society Foundations. In his announcement, he emphasized his decades of public service and commitment to fighting powerful interests to support ordinary citizens.
McGuire, a former state senator, narrowly defeated former Rep. Bob Good in the 2025 Republican primary and went on to win the general election by 15 points. Good has indicated he may challenge McGuire again in 2026. Perriello faces competition in the Democratic primary from Navy veteran and Albemarle County Supervisor Mike Pruitt, Army veteran Paul Riley, and attorney Adele Stichel.