Democrat Tom Perriello (an Albemarle country native) is challenging incumbent Republican representative Virgil Goode for the 5th District House seat.

Congressman Goode achieved brief notoriety after the 2006 mid-term elections when he made this comment about Muslims in the United States:

The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don’t wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office…

………..

We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Middle East to come to this country. I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being swamped.

Goode is also under investigation for his connections to a corrupt defense contractor and convicted felon Jack Abramoff. As far as his voting record is concerned, Goode has voted with a majority of his fellow Republicans 90.3 percent of the time during the current Congress. This isn’t in itself a bad thing; most of those votes are mere procedural matters and such. But when you look at substantive votes, it is clear that Goode is well out of step with his fellow Virginians:

  • Goode voted against an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
  • Goode voted against implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 commission.
  • Goode voted against reducing the number of troops serving in Iraq.
  • Goode voted for war funding completely divorced from any timetable for withdrawal.
  • Goode voted against repealing tax cuts for oil companies; companies which posted record profits over the past two years.
  • Goode voted against allowing the government to negotiate directly with drugmakers for lower prescription drug prices.

Needless to say, any Democrat would be preferable to Virgil Goode in Congress and Perriello seems like a decent person. His issues page doesn’t have much in the way of substantive information, but it does outline his support for affordable health care, alternative energy, middle/working class tax relief, and affordable college education. His biographical page though shows a man who is quite committed to public service; he has spent a good chunk of his life working in Liberia and Sierra Leone, largely in support of the post-civil war peace and reconciliation efforts. For me at least, that’s enough to give respect and pledge some degree of support.

I’m not sure of Goode’s level of support in Albemarle country, but if the current statewide trends are any indication, there’s a good chance that Democrats can unseat him come November. But, Goode will have the support of the state Republican apparatus, and he has a sizeable war chest. So, if you’re inclined to do so, send some cash over to Periello or (if you live in Albemarle county) volunteer for his campaign. The Democrats aren’t perfect, but a House without Goode is better for everyone.