With no other Democratic candidates filing for the race as of Monday’s deadline, attorney Tom Perriello has become the party’s de facto nominee heading into a May 17 nominating convention in the 5th district.

“I’m thrilled to lock up the nomination this early and to see such an overwhelming response from Democrats, Republicans and Independents to our positive agenda for moving our communities forward together,” Perriello said in a statement Tuesday.

Perriello, who is known for his work with nonprofit groups, is challenging Rep. Virgil Goode (R) in a race that Goode has admitted to local papers might be the toughest of his Congressional career.
— John McArdle