Tom Perriello timeline

September 2007
Tom Perriello announces his intention to challenge six-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount. Two other Democrats — David Shreve of Albemarle County and Brydon Jackson of Chatham — also seek their party’s nomination.

May 18, 2008
Perriello receives the Democratic nomination to challenge Goode in the general election.

June 19, 2008
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee lists Perriello’s campaign as an “emerging race.”

Oct. 10, 2008
Perriello’s campaign staff and volunteers surpass 1,000 hours of community service work as part of the campaign’s “tithing” initiative.

Oct. 31, 2008
The Danville Register & Bee endorses Perriello, marking the first time the paper had backed a candidate other than Goode since he first took office.

Nov. 4, 2008
More than 317,000 votes are cast in the 5th Congressional District race, but the vote is too close to declare a winner.

Nov. 7, 2008
After a district-wide vote canvass wraps up, Perriello declares victory in Martinsville. Goode refuses to concede, citing “irregularities” in the vote count.

Nov. 24, 2008
The State Board of Elections certifies Perriello as the winner of the 5th District race, apparently beating Goode by a margin of only 745 votes. Goode files for a recount the following day.

Dec. 17, 2008
A three-judge recount panel declares Perriello as the victor, winning by a margin of 727 votes.

Jan. 6, 2009
Perriello is sworn into office as part of the 111th Congress.

Jan. 12, 2009
Perriello introduces his first bill, which aims to simplify and expand tax credits for higher education, thereby making college more affordable.

Jan. 14, 2009
Perriello votes with majority in House to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides health care coverage for children. The bill also increased the federal tax on cigarettes and cigars.

Jan. 22, 2009
Perriello’s $13.5 billion higher education tax credit measure is rolled into the economic stimulus package. Also, Perriello breaks with Democratic majority by voting against releasing $350 billion in bailout money for banks and other financial institutions.

Jan. 28, 2009
Perriello votes in favor of the multibillion-dollar economic stimulus package.

Feb. 13, 2009
Perriello’s higher education tax credit bill is included in the economic stimulus package’s final conference report. President Barack Obama signs it into law three days later.

March 1, 2009
Vito Perriello, the congressman’s father and a well-known Charlottesville pediatrician, dies after suffering a stroke.

March 18, 2009
Congress passes the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, which includes an amendment sponsored by Perriello that creates the National Service Reserve Corps.

March 25, 2009
Perriello convenes a Veterans Advisory Board and introduces a bill that would expand vocational training benefits for veterans.

April 2, 2009
Perriello votes against Obama’s $3.5 trillion budget resolution, citing his concerns about the government’s lack of a balanced budget.

April 10, 2009
After a district-wide tour of new energy projects, Perriello holds a summit to design a “blueprint” to create green jobs in Southside and Central Virginia.

UPCOMING EVENTS

U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Ivy, is scheduled to hold a town hall meeting today in Charlottesville.
The meeting will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in the McIntire Room of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library at 201 E. Market St.
The town hall is intended for former volunteers of his campaign, as well as volunteers with the campaign of President Barack Obama.
Perriello is also scheduled to answer questions from constituents during a telephone town hall meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
To dial in to the telephone town hall, call (877) 229-8493 and enter the code 14581.
The call is free and open to the public. Participants may dial in at any time during the call.