After months of touring the district in his Ford pick-up truck, Tom Perriello, Democratic challenger for the Fifth District congressional seat, took to the campaign trail today with a bit more leg room. At around 1pm this afternoon, the “Perriello Election Express”—a brown and maroon RV—took off from the Barracks Road Shopping Center for a trip through all 22 cities and counties in the fifth district.
Tonight, the “Express” goes to Danville for Perriello’s third and final debate debate with incumbent Congressman Virgil Goode at the Danville American Legion. Much to Perriello’s chagrin, the event won’t be televised—Goode canceled a debate with NBC29 earlier this month.
“Tom wasn’t even allowed to speak [at the Danville American Legion] before,” said Perriello’s mother, Linda, as the bus prepared to take off. “So it may be a hostile environment.”
Traveling on the bus are Linda Perriello and her husband, Vito, along other family members, elected officials, and other local political figures will support Perriello during the tour.
The tour will intentionally be very grassroots, and focused on Perriello’s interaction with voters. Several lunches are slated for local joints like Mary’s Diner in Danville, the Copper Kettle in Boydton, and Tip Top Restaurant here in Charlottesville.
The campaign is so grassroots, you may even get a little bit of home cooking if you come across the “Express” tour stops.
“I have been baking tons of cookies,” said Linda Perriello, “everyone has been so nice. This is my little thanks for them.”
