CHARLOTTESVILLE -- The recount in the 5th District congressional race was just completed and a three-judge panel has declared Democratic challenger Tom Perriello the winner. U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Rocky Mount, then conceded the race in a short statement.

Perriello, a Democrat, led Goode by 745 votes going into the recount, which began yesterday. After the recount, the vote difference in favor of Perriello was 727. The final overall vote count was: Perriello with 158,810 votes and Goode with 158,083.

Teams set-up to review vote counts and precinct information from the localities in the district completed their main work around 2:30 this afternoon. The three-judge panel overseeing the recount ruled just a short time ago.

Perriello, who talked to the press on the Albemarle County Courthouse steps after the court finished,  released this statement:

"I'm gratified that after an exhaustive democratic process, we now can say with certainty that this election is over, and the fifth district has asked me to fight for jobs and economic relief in Washington. I am humbled that the voters have entrusted me with this sacred duty, and I am eager to represent the entire district as we work together to put our communities back on the path to economic revival.

"When people ask how we were able to come from 34-points behind to win in a district that John McCain carried, I tell them of our commitment to a people-powered campaign, fueled by thousands of individuals and the largest grassroots network the district has ever seen. We showed with this historic upset that people are ready to trade in the old politics of fear and division for a new style of positive, solutions-oriented public service.

"I thank the hundreds of elected officials and volunteers from both sides who put in overtime this holiday season to ensure an accurate final count. I am disappointed that the court denied my request to count the votes of those brave men and women serving overseas that arrived after the deadline, even though it would not have altered the outcome. I pledge that standing up for our servicemen and women overseas and our veterans as they return home will always be a priority for me. Again, I want to thank all of those who worked tirelessly over the past few days and weeks to ensure a fair and accurate vote count.

"As I first declared in Martinsville after the vote canvass was completed last month, my double-shift working for the people of the fifth district is well underway. Through my on-going listening tour of the district, our Shop the Fifth program, and our transition team, we have not changed our pace or our focus on economic recovery. We face immense challenges in our district and our nation, but the urgency of this moment also presents us with an opportunity to invest in our infrastructure, the new energy economy, and America's new competitive advantage. We are not Democrats or Republicans in this crisis, but Americans, with a common struggle and a common future, and I promise to work a double shift every day for the good of our district."

Goode, who did not attend the recount proceedings Wednesday, released his own statement a short time after the ruling:

"The Recount Court has certified Tom Perriello as the winner of the Fifth District Congressional race. I congratulate Mr. Perriello and wish him well as he represents the Fifth District. Although the recount made vote changes in 14 of the 22 jurisdictions, and although we gained a few votes, the recount has confirmed earlier indications that Mr. Perriello had the most votes. 
"I extend special thanks and appreciation to all the volunteers who worked as observers and in other ways during this recount process. I am also grateful for the election officials that conducted the recount."

Attorneys and observers for Goode and  Perriello joined the three-judge recount court this morning to start the process.

Since the recount started this morning, there were several challenges of ballots in a number of localities. One of the main issues of contention involves the inclusion of about 60 challenged ballots in Halifax County. Several of the challenges included only a handful of votes, and another 30 previously uncounted votes in Brunswich County were included. Each candidate received a portion of those votes.

Ballots from the 22 localities that make up the district were divided up among three teams, consisting of a state Board of Elections representative, an accountant and an observer for each party. The teams will review the information confirmed by localities yesterday, including vote totals and any questionable ballots.

The recount court includes Albemarle Circuit Court Judge Timothy Sanner, Henrico County Circuit Court Judge Gary Hicks and Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Jane Roush.

With less than one percent of the total votes casts separating the two candidates after the November election, Goode initiated the recount process after the state Board of Elections certified the election results.

Any decision reached by the court today will be final and not subject to appeal.

Both candidates have said they don't expect the vote totals to change much, but Goode has said the numerous changes to vote totals that took place in the days following the election merit a closer look.