Primaries were held on August 4 this year, delayed by a failed attempt by a Democratic majority in the Virginia General Assembly to redraw Congressional boundaries to give them a partisan advantage. For full coverage go back and see a story over at Information Charlottesville.
Democrat Tom Perriello easily won his party’s primary for the Fifth District and incumbent John McGuire easily won the Republican primary. The Virginia Public Access Project tracks campaign finance data and through July 15, 2026, Perriello has outraised McGuire $2.14 million to $1.735 million.
They are joined on the ballot by independent Cooke Costa Harvey, a candidate who is not taking campaign donations. He can be found on Facebook.
There have been many offers from organizations to hold a debate between the two major party candidates. For instance, the Senior Statesmen of Virginia have invited both McGuire and Perriello to a forum at the Senior Center on Wednesday, September 9 at 1:30 p.m. The event is free but the Senior Center asks people to register in advance.
According to the SSV website, Perriello has accepted but McGuire has not. An email from the organizer on Monday stated that the McGuire campaign had not even responded.
Lynchburg television station WSET and the University of Lynchburg are seeking to organize a debate on October 20. Perriello has accepted, but McGuire told reporter WSET reporter Allison Mullett on August 27 that he will not discuss any debates until Perriello apologizes for making allegations of insider trading. He is quoted as saying he does not even make trades.
That story did not specify whether the reporter sought a comment from the Perriello campaign, but the campaign responded with a statement anyway the next day.
“The taxpayers deserve multiple public debates, and I’ve made clear that I’m ready,” Perriello is quoted in the statement, which also asks McGuire to answer allegations that he has benefited from inside knowledge through a series of stock sales and purchases.”
The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires all members of Congress to file financial disclosure reports, according to the instructions on how to file.
“In addition, the Representative Louise McIntosh Slaughter Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK Act) amended the [Ethics in Government Act] to require Members, Officers, and certain Employees of the House and Legislative Branch Offices to disclose transactions over $1,000 for certain securities,” reads the handbook.
The disclosures must take place by the earlier of either “30 days from being made aware of the transaction” or “45 days from the transaction date.”
Anyone can search through the database and McGuire has filed six times so far this calendar year. Data is somewhat limited with no precise amounts for what was purchased or sold.
All transactions are listed as being between $1,000 and $15,000.
- February 10, 2026: Purchase of Microsoft Corporation common stock, partial sale of Microsoft Corporation common stock, purchase of NVIDIA Corporation common stock, partial sale of WalMart common stock
- May 13, 2026: Purchase of Apple common stock, purchase of Microsoft Corporation common stock, and purchase of NVIDIA Corporation common stock
- June 10, 2026: Partial sale of Dell Technologies stock and purchase of Meta Platforms
- July 8, 2026: Partial sale of BlackRock stock and purchase of Space Exploration Technologies Corporation
- August 10, 2026: Purchase of Applied Materials Inc common stock, partial sale of BlackRock stock, sale of BlackRock stock, and partial sale of Palo Alto Networks
- September 2, 2026: Partial sale of Apple common stock and purchase of NVIDIA Corporation common stock
A request is out to the McGuire campaign for an explanation.
Meanwhile, the group CVille 100 is hosting Perriello at a virtual forum on Thursday, September 10 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. One organizer wrote that Perriello will “present on health effects of climate-related and other pollution sources, and then field questions on a range of climate-related topics.”
More information as well as a link to the Google Meet room, click here.
Some recent stories for more context:
- After voting for Housing Act, John McGuire sold BlackRock stock, Mike Barber, Cville Right Now, July 13, 2026
- Rep. John McGuire says an apology is needed before he debates challenger Perriello, Allison Mullet, WSET, August 27, 2026
- Perriello calls on McGuire to participate in debate, Sophia Long, CBS19 News, August 28, 2026
Before you go: The goal of Town Crier Productions is to increase awareness about what is happening at the local, regional, state, and federal government levels. Please share the work with others if you want people to know things. Paid subscribers cover the cost of conducting research for this article which was originally published in the September 8, 2026 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. You can either subscribe through Substack or make a charitable contribution.
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