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Tom Perriello taps Southwest Virginia rising star Lily Franklin as campaign manager
Franklin, after a narrowly-unsuccessful bid for the seat in 2023, flipped the 41st District for Democrats in November, defeating Republican incumbent Chris Obenshain by 2.4 points.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:23pm
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Perriello's decision to tap a rising political star from Southwest Virginia signals his intention to make a strong play for the redrawn 6th District.Charlottesville TodayAs he continues to adjust his campaign for the possibility of a move to the 6th District, Democratic Congressional candidate Tom Perriello has tapped 41st District House of Delegates Rep. Lily Franklin to be his campaign manager. Franklin, a rising political figure in Southwest Virginia, flipped the 41st District for Democrats in November 2023 by defeating the Republican incumbent.
Why it matters
Perriello's decision to bring on Franklin as his campaign manager signals his intention to make a strong push for the Democratic nomination in the 6th District, which could be redrawn through redistricting. Franklin's experience winning a tough race in the 41st District makes her a valuable asset for Perriello's campaign as he seeks to gain a foothold in Southwest Virginia.
The details
Perriello announced Franklin's new role as his campaign manager on Monday. In a statement, Perriello praised Franklin's dedication to 'giving hardworking families across the Blue Ridge a fair shot' and her ability to win tough races. Franklin, for her part, said she is fighting for communities where she and Perriello grew up, and that she wants to help get Perriello elected because he will 'deliver for our region and put people over politics.'
- Perriello announced Franklin's new role as his campaign manager on Monday, March 30, 2026.
- Franklin flipped the 41st District for Democrats in November 2023, defeating the Republican incumbent by 2.4 points.
The players
Tom Perriello
Democratic Congressional candidate running in the 5th and proposed 6th Districts of Virginia.
Lily Franklin
41st District House of Delegates Representative who flipped the seat for Democrats in November 2023 and is now serving as Perriello's campaign manager.
Chris Obenshain
Republican incumbent in the 41st District who was defeated by Franklin in November 2023.
Beth Macy
Roanoke-based author and political activist who is also seeking the Democratic nomination in the proposed 6th District.
John McGuire
Incumbent Republican Representative in the 5th District of Virginia.
Ben Cline
Incumbent Republican Representative in the 6th District of Virginia.
What they’re saying
“'There's nobody I would trust more to run this campaign, because Lily is dedicated to giving hardworking families across the Blue Ridge a fair shot, and she knows how to win.'”
— Tom Perriello, Democratic Congressional Candidate
“'I love my home. I love the people and getting to fight for these communities where Tom and I grew up. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to build a good life here, to have hard work rewarded, to be part of a strong community, and to feel like they're leaving the next generation something better than what came before. That's why I fight so hard for this community, and why I want to get Tom elected – because we already know that Tom will deliver for our region and put people over politics.'”
— Lily Franklin, 41st District House of Delegates Representative
What’s next
Perriello is running for the Democratic nomination in both the current 5th District and the proposed 6th District. While he is a considerable favorite in the 5th, a tougher race could loom if Democratic redistricting efforts succeed in redrawing temporary voting maps and Perriello runs in the 6th.
The takeaway
Perriello's decision to bring on Franklin as his campaign manager signals his intention to make a strong push for the Democratic nomination in the 6th District, which could be redrawn through redistricting. Franklin's experience winning a tough race in the 41st District makes her a valuable asset for Perriello's campaign as he seeks to gain a foothold in Southwest Virginia.
