Virginia 5th District
John McGuire (R) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
John McGuire
Republican · holds this seat today
A-Liberty Score A-On the liberty side in 43 of 46 votes and bills.
Raised $2,419,702 since January 2025: 63% from people, 24% from PACs and other committees, 13% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Tom Perriello
Democrat · former congressman and special envoy to Sudan
FLiberty Score F46 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Perriello has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Perriello.
Higher on Liberty Score: John McGuire. John McGuire: A-, 91 out of 100 from recorded votes. Tom Perriello: F, 46 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Virginia: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Tom Perriello, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Perriello, so the grade above comes from this list: what Perriello has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Says the trade war and the war on the Islamic Republic both needed Congressional approval that was not given.
“The incredibly expensive trade war and war on Iran both required Congressional approval that was not given.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A call for Congress to vote before war, with no bill or policy named, is unclear for anyone.
-
Lists ending the Iran war and ending tariffs as his most urgent priority to lower prices.
“ending the Iran war that’s made gas and fertilizer prices insane”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Ending the war with no policy named is unclear for anyone.
-
His campaign foreign policy page calls the war with the Islamic Republic a disaster that has strengthened the regime in Iran and says it must end on day one.
“the war with Iran that has strengthened the Iranian regime, shattered the lives of innocent civilians and US service members”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Condemning the action against Iran and committing to end it is against on the tyranny test.
-
His campaign foreign policy page says he supports ending military aid to the Israeli government.
“This includes an end to military aid to the Israeli government, in the wake of acts of genocide in Gaza, Israeli military attacks in Lebanon, and settler attacks in the West Bank.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Cutting off military aid to Israel and calling the Gaza war genocide is against on the free nations test.
-
His campaign foreign policy page says America must stand with its allies in NATO and Ukraine.
“We can and must stand with our allies in NATO and Ukraine, and restore vital programs eliminated when USAID was dismantled.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing NATO and Ukraine is with on the free nations test.
-
His campaign issues page lists ending the tariffs among his most urgent aims.
“ending the tariffs that spiked grocery bills”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with on the free markets test.
-
His campaign foreign policy page says he values a strong US military but names no budget.
“Tom has seen the value of a strong US military and the importance of matching our defense capacities with our commitments to diplomacy and development.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No defence budget figure or cut is named, so it does not settle the defense test.
-
Calls ICE a redundant agency that bloats the federal bureaucracy and hurts public safety, and says the money would be better spent elsewhere.
“ICE is a redundant federal agency that bloats the federal bureaucracy and hurts public safety.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing ICE as an agency is against liberty on borders.
-
His campaign freedoms page promises to fund the officers, judges and technology that secure the border.
“Fund the officers, judges, and tech that actually secure the border”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Funding border security is with on the borders test.
Also on the ballot
Cooke Harvey (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
Say it where other readers can answer you. Opinions, videos and corrections about this race are all in one place.
Discussion
Virginia 5th District
Opinions, videos, corrections and bug reports about this race, all in one place. What readers post is their words, not mine. My answers carry the Host tag.
Leave out anything private about anyone. The rules, what your account keeps, and what readers have changed so far
Know this race better than I do?
Argue it with the hosts on a call. The community meets every day, and members help decide what goes on these pages.