"A group of Republican lawmakers and a GOP-leaning independent endorsed former Democrat and now independent Rep. Virgil H. Goode, Jr. on Monday in his bid for a third term in Congress."

"Without mentioning any specific issues, the GOP delegates and state senators from throughout the 5th District said they are backing Goode because he is a man of high morals and strong character."

"'Virgil Goode first and foremost is a Virginia gentleman who whos what honesty and integrity and doing the right thing for the people is,' said Delegate Lacey Putney, an independent from Bedford who, like Goode, is friendly with the Republican Party."

"The event further solidified Goode's shift toward the Republican Party, which will be all but official after the party declines to nominate a candidate and formally endorses his re-election bid this weekend" (The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, Virginia, May 9, 2000).