Democrat Perriello claims win in Va. 5th

MARTINSVILLE, Va., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Democrat Tom Perriello Friday claimed victory over six-term incumbent Republican Rep. Virgil Goode in Virginia's 5th district.

With all vote tallies in the district certified, Perriello finished with 158,703 votes to 157,958 for Goode, the (Charlottesville, Va.) Daily Progress reported. Perriello said the 745 vote margin was outside "statistical variations," the newspaper said.

"The outcome is certain," Perriello told supporters Friday afternoon. "We've won."

Goode has not conceded, however, and the Daily Progress said a recount seemed likely.

"With the vote counting process almost complete," Goode said in a statement, "it has become clear that there have been a number of reporting irregularities."

Goode said discrepancies include miscount of vote tallies and "misplacement" of paper ballots and tape records from electronic machines.

"We will continue to fight to make sure that every single legitimate vote in the 5th District is accurately counted and reported," Goode said.