BUCKINGHAM -- Nelson County vineyard owner Al Weed secured the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District on Saturday, setting up a rematch with incumbent U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Rocky Mount, this November.

Weed defeated former Roanoke City Manager Bern Ewert in a 114-73 vote of delegates to the Democratic convention in Buckingham County.

Weed, who received only 36 percent of the vote in his 2004 loss to Goode, said he feels that increased name recognition, discontent over the war in Iraq and Goode's links to a troubled military contractor will add up to a different result this year.

In his acceptance speech, Weed said he wanted voters to understand that "Virgil," the populist politician who rose to prominence as a Democrat before eventually changing parties, is different from the "Mr. Goode" who votes along a Republican party line.

"We know the Virgil who comes to our county fairs, but do we know the Mr. Goode who votes against clean water for our streams and lakes?" Weed said. "We know the Virgil who shakes our hands on the street corners, but do we know the Mr. Goode who votes to give the president a blank check to fight a misbegotten war in Iraq? ... People think they know Virgil, but it is time for us Democrats to introduce voters to the real Mr. Goode."

Weed also attacked Goode for his links to MZM Inc., a military contractor that made about $90,000 in illegal campaign donations to Goode. Goode, who has since donated the tainted money to charitable and nonprofit groups, helped the company locate a factory in Martinsville.

In recent months, MZM has come under federal scrutiny.

Its former president, Mitchell Wade, pleaded guilty in February to securing lucrative defense contracts for his company by bribing a California congressman and has admitted to making illegal contributions to two unnamed lawmakers -- one of them identifiable as Goode through campaign finance records.

Goode has not been implicated in any wrongdoing.

In addition to attacking Goode, Weed reiterated a number of national Democratic Party planks, including support for universal health care and a stance for abortion rights, as well as opposition to a proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution that would ban gay marriage.

Ewert had campaigned against Weed in the primary, a caucus system made up largely of Democratic Party activists, saying Weed got beat "like a drum" in 2004 and wouldn't stand much of a chance this year.

Going into the convention, delegates committed to Weed outnumbered Ewert delegates 106 to 55, with 33 undecided.

On Saturday, Ewert's aides handed out fliers encouraging Weed delegates to vote on the first secret ballot.

"Al Weed has already been beaten badly by Virgil Goode," the flier read. "It is not unethical to change your mind."

Both candidates, however, agreed the ultimate goal was defeating Goode, who 5th District Democratic chairman Fred Hudson described as a "turncoat, knuckle-dragging Neanderthal."

In his concession speech, Ewert urged his supporters to back Weed in the general election.

"We have to win in November," Ewert said. "Al is our candidate ... Al, we'll be with you over the next few months."

Afterward, however, Ewert didn't seem inclined to join Weed's group of volunteers. Ewert ran strongest in Southside, but when asked whether he'd actively campaign for Weed there, Ewert hinted that Weed was on his own, saying the nominee "knows all the same people I know."

Weed seemed confident he'd be able to make inroads in the region, which has heavily supported Goode in past years.

He said he supported using federal money to establish a four-year college in Martinsville and a "world-class research university" in Danville.

Weed said he'd also push to help establish Southside as "the home of the biofuels industry."

At the 6th Congressional District Democratic convention in Lexington on Saturday, no candidates stepped forward to challenge U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke.

Sixth District Democratic Chairman David Layman said the party has talked to several people interested in running against Goodlatte, but none has accepted.

Goodlatte has not faced an opponent since 1998, when he beat former Roanoke Mayor David Bowers.

The Democrats have until June 13 to nominate someone to contest Goodlatte, who is seeking his eighth term.

Layman said he spoke to at least four people on Saturday who are "seriously considering" running.

Staff writer Evelio Contreras contributed to this report.