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In February 2011, Hurt criticized President [[Barack Obama]]'s $3.73&nbsp;trillion 2012&nbsp;federal budget proposal for its excessive spending and borrowing.<ref>{{Cite web| title =Rep. Robert Hurt bashes Obama's budget proposal| publisher =[[WSLS-TV]]| date =2011-02-14| url =http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/feb/14/rep-robert-hurt-bashes-obamas-budget-proposal-ar-842361/| accessdate =2011-03-04 }}</ref> To avoid a [[government shutdown]], Hurt voted to pass a $1.2&nbsp;trillion bill to finance the government through September.<ref>{{Cite web| last =Hatcher| first =Angela| title =Rep. Robert Hurt: Senate needs to stop government shutdown| publisher =WSLS-TV| date =2011-02-22| url =http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/feb/22/congressman-robert-hurt-senate-needs-stop-governme-ar-860274/| accessdate =2011-03-04 }}</ref> It would cut the year's federal budget by $61&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite web| author =Associated Press| title =House passes more than $60B in spending cuts| publisher =[[CBS News]]| date =2011-02-19| url =http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/19/politics/main20033828.shtml| accessdate =2011-03-04 }}</ref>
In February 2011, Hurt criticized President [[Barack Obama]]'s $3.73&nbsp;trillion 2012&nbsp;federal budget proposal for its excessive spending and borrowing.<ref>{{Cite web| title =Rep. Robert Hurt bashes Obama's budget proposal| publisher =[[WSLS-TV]]| date =2011-02-14| url =http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/feb/14/rep-robert-hurt-bashes-obamas-budget-proposal-ar-842361/| accessdate =2011-03-04 }}</ref> To avoid a [[government shutdown]], Hurt voted to pass a $1.2&nbsp;trillion bill to finance the government through September.<ref>{{Cite web| last =Hatcher| first =Angela| title =Rep. Robert Hurt: Senate needs to stop government shutdown| publisher =WSLS-TV| date =2011-02-22| url =http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/feb/22/congressman-robert-hurt-senate-needs-stop-governme-ar-860274/| accessdate =2011-03-04 }}</ref> It would cut the year's federal budget by $61&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite web| author =Associated Press| title =House passes more than $60B in spending cuts| publisher =[[CBS News]]| date =2011-02-19| url =http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/19/politics/main20033828.shtml| accessdate =2011-03-04 }}</ref>

While campaigning in October 2010, Hurt promised that he would be more accessible than his opponent, [[Tom Perriello|then-Congressman Tom Perriello]] who held more public town hall meetings than any other congressman.<ref>{{cite news|last=McNeill|first=Brian|title=Hurt promises to cut taxes, regulations|url=http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2010/oct/28/hurt-promises-cut-taxes-regulations-ar-614040/|accessdate=7 April 2011|newspaper=[[The Daily Progress]]|date=28 October 2010}}</ref> Just a few months later, in March 2011, a member of the local Tea Party movement expressed his disappointment with Hurt's constituent services.<ref name=dpteapartyprotests>{{cite news|last=Moomaw|first=Graham|title=Tea party calls out Hurt on budget resolutions|url=http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2011/mar/24/tea-party-calls-out-hurt-budget-resolutions-ar-926533/|accessdate=7 April 2011|newspaper=[[The Daily Progress]]|date=24 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tea Party disappointed by Hurt’s inaccessibility.|url=http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2011/03/hurt-inaccessible/|work=Jaquith.org|accessdate=7 April 2011|month=March|year=2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Feld|first=Lowell|title=Robert Hurt Breaks Core Promise, Tea Party "severely disappointed"|url=http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/3435/robert-hurt-breaks-core-promise-tea-party-severely-disappointed|accessdate=7 April 2011|newspaper=Blue Virginia|date=25 March 2011}}</ref>


===Committee assignments===
===Committee assignments===

Revision as of 00:21, 7 April 2011

Robert Hurt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 5th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded byTom Perriello
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 19th district
In office
2008[1] – January 5, 2011
Preceded byCharles R. Hawkins[2]
Succeeded byBill Stanley[3]
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 16th district
In office
2002–2007[1]
Member of Chatham, Virginia Town Council
In office
2000–2001[1]
Personal details
Born (1969-06-16) June 16, 1969 (age 54)
New York City
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKathryn Raine Heithaus
ChildrenCharles, Clement, John
Residence(s)Chatham, Virginia
Alma materMississippi College School of Law, J.D. - 1995
Hampden-Sydney College, B.S. - 1991
ProfessionAttorney
WebsiteOfficial House website
Campaign website

Robert Hurt (born June 16, 1969) is the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 5th congressional district, serving since January 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district stretches from Charlottesville to Southside Virginia and west to Bedford and Franklin counties. Prior to joining Congress Hurt was a state senator and delegate, councilman and attorney.

Hurt was born in New York City and raised in Chatham, Virginia. After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College and Mississippi College School of Law, Hurt served as a chief assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Pittsylvania County from 1996 to 1999. Afterwards, he became an attorney for the firm H. Victor Millner, Jr. P.C. in Chatham from 1999 to 2008. Hurt would later open his own law firm in 2008.

Hurt's political career began with his election to the Chatham Town Council. A year later, Hurt was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and served three terms. In 2007, Hurt was elected to the Senate of Virginia. In October 2009, Hurt announced that he would run for the U.S. Representative seat for the 5th congressional district in Virginia. After easily winning the primary, Hurt was elected to the House of Representatives after defeating incumbent Tom Perriello.

Early life, education and career

Robert Hurt was born on June 16, 1969 in New York City,[1] where he lived for about nine years.[4] His father, Henry Hurt, was a journalist and editor for Reader’s Digest. In 1986, Henry wrote a book questioning the findings of the Warren Commission called Reasonable Doubt: An Investigation into the Assassination of John F. Kennedy.[5] Hurt was raised in Chatham, Virginia and attended Hargrave Military Academy and graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria. He earned a bachelor's degree in English from Hampden-Sydney College in 1991 and a law degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 1995.[6] Hurt also graduated from the Sorensen Institute's Political Leaders Program in 2000.[7] He served as a chief assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Pittsylvania County from 1996 to 1999. From 1999 to 2008, Robert worked in a general law practice with the firm of H. Victor Millner, Jr. P.C. in Chatham. In 2008, Robert opened up his own law practice in Chatham.[5]

Early political career

Robert Hurt

Hurt began his political career as a member of the Chatham Town Council.[8] He was elected with 82 percent of the vote.[9] Hurt was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2001 and served three terms.[8] He represented the 16th District, which includes part of Henry County. He was elected and re-elected to the House of Delegates with at least 62 percent of the vote.[9] He cited bringing the New College Institute and the Virginia Museum of Natural History as accomplishments that he and other legislators of both parties have worked together to bring to the area.[10]

During his time as a delegate, Hurt worked to increase state funding for K-12 education and increase the safety of Virginia’s children through membership on the Courts of Justice Committee and the Youth Internet Safety Taskforce.[10] Hurt voted two dozen times to cut taxes and supported 28 bills in the General Assembly that sought to reduce taxes on food, gas, cigarettes, cars, real estate, computer sales and other items.[11] In 2004, Hurt voted in favor of a $1.4 billion tax increase to narrow the gap in Virginia’s budget. Hurt stated that the increase was essential, based on the information lawmakers had at the time, to refrain from a government shutdown over a budget impasse and has since stated regret over the vote.[12][13]

In November 2007, Hurt was elected to the Senate of Virginia, winning 75 percent of the vote. Hurt represented the 19th district, which includes the city of Danville, Pittsylvania and Franklin counties, and part of Campbell county.[9]

U.S. House of Representatives

2010 election

Primary

See also: Virginia's 5th congressional district election, 2010
Hurt speaks at the Sorensen Institute

On October 7, 2009, Hurt officially declared himself a candidate for Virginia's 5th congressional district.[14] The district stretches from Charlottesville to Southside Virginia and west to Bedford and Franklin counties.[15] Hurt was considered the "safe" but "unexciting" Republican national establishment candidate in a "Tea Party–packed primary field."[16] He was initially not well received by local Tea Party supporters who cited factors such as his 2004 vote to raise state taxes by $1.4 billion.[17][18] During a debate among candidates for the Republican nomination at the Brookville High School, Hurt sought to distinguish himself from the field by staking out extreme positions such as that the United States Department of Education represented "a mindset that the government is the answer to every problem."[19] He also denied global warming, claiming that climategate was an example of "faulty information" and stated he would try to repeal regulations to combat the threat to our planet.[19]

On June 8, 2010, Hurt won the Republican nomination with a plurality out of a crowded field of seven candidates.[8] All of Hurt's opponents in the primary endorsed him.[20] Shortly after Hurt won the primary, a local Tea Party leader from Danville, Virginia said he thought that his group would "unite behind" and "support" Hurt.[21]

November election

Hurt campaigned against Democratic incumbent Tom Perriello and Independent candidate Jeffrey Clark in the general election.[22] The National Republican Party viewed the race as a pickup opportunity and poured record resources into the race.[23][24] Perriello was listed as one of the 10 most vulnerable House incumbents by Roll Call.[25] Hurt was a member of the National Republican Congressional Committee's "Young Guns" program.[26]

On June 12, Hurt stated that he would "absolutely" participate in debates that included all the candidates, including Independent candidate Clark. Just days after explicitly saying he would, Hurt about-faced, stating that he would not debate Clark leading to accusations that he had flip-flopped.[27][28] Although the statement was made in response to a direct query from a reporter as to whether he would debate Clark, Hurt’s campaign later attempted to justify their change in position by insisting this was untrue.[29] Hurt skipped the first debate which was organized by the Senior Statesmen of Virginia, becoming the first candidate to skip the forum since it started in 1996.[30][31] In addition to the first debate, Hurt skipped two subsequent debates one sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in Nelson County and another hosted by American Legion Post 325 in Danville for a total of three skipped debates in the general election.[32][33]

Hurt campaigned on his opposition to the Democratic-backed initiatives that Perriello supported, such as health-care reform, the economic stimulus package and clean energy legislation.[34] On August 20, Hurt released his first television ad. Hurt's first television ad stated that he would fight tax increases, stop Washington’s spending and start creating jobs, however he never mentions his opponent. "You definitely see that he’s running against Congress as a whole and Democrats as a whole," Isaac Wood, an analyst at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said. "That was very clear. He spent just a few seconds introducing himself, then pivoted right away to attack the negative things happening in D.C. With voters, that can be effective."[35] Another ad from Hurt called Perriello a "rubber stamp" for the policies of President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.[36] Hurt won with 51 percent of the vote.[37]

Tenure

After his win, Hurt submitted a formal letter of resignation from the Virginia General Assembly to Governor Bob McDonnell that would be effective on January 5, the day Hurt was sworn in to Congress.[38]

Hurt voted for the symbolic[39] measure to "repeal" the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or Health Care Reform which successfully passed the House.[40] Despite this, Hurt did not join other representatives in turning down his government-subsidized health care stating that it was "good for him."[41]

In February 2011, Hurt criticized President Barack Obama's $3.73 trillion 2012 federal budget proposal for its excessive spending and borrowing.[42] To avoid a government shutdown, Hurt voted to pass a $1.2 trillion bill to finance the government through September.[43] It would cut the year's federal budget by $61 billion.[44]

While campaigning in October 2010, Hurt promised that he would be more accessible than his opponent, then-Congressman Tom Perriello who held more public town hall meetings than any other congressman.[45] Just a few months later, in March 2011, a member of the local Tea Party movement expressed his disappointment with Hurt's constituent services.[46][47][48]

Committee assignments

Electoral history

Virginia House of Delegates, District 16: Results 2001 to 2005[49]
Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct Third Party Party Votes Pct
2001 Robert Hurt 11,853 65% Randy Collins 6,382 35%
2003 Robert Hurt 8,744 62% Kimble Reynolds, Jr. 5,441 38%
2005 Robert Hurt 12,821 99% no candidate Write-ins 123 1%
Virginia Senate, District 19: Results 2007[49]
Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct
2007 Robert Hurt 29,735 76% Sherman Witcher 9,488 24%
Virginia's 5th congressional district: Results 2010[50]
Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct Third Party Party Votes Pct
2010 Robert Hurt 119,560 51% Tom Perriello 110,562 47% Jeffrey Clark Independent 4,992 2%

Personal life

Hurt lives in Chatham[7] and is married to Kathryn Raine Heithaus.[1] He has three sons, Charles, Clement and John. Hurt is a member of Chatham Presbyterian Church and Chatham Rotary Club. Also, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the New College Institute, the Virginia Bar Association’s Board of Governors, the Hampden-Sydney Wilson Center Advisory Board, the John Marshall Foundation Board, and the Board of Directors of Roman Eagle Nursing Home.[7] His brother, Charles Hurt, is the Washington bureau chief for the New York Post.[51]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Faces of the Senate" (PDF). Virginia.gov. 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  2. ^ Martz, Michael (2010-11-02). "Supporters gather as Hurt watches returns". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2010-12-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Thibodeau, Denice (2011-01-12). "Two elected to fill vacant seats in General Assembly". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-02-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Meola, Olympia (2010-09-05). "5th District: Voters' anxiety threatens Perriello". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2010-12-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ a b "Robert Hurt (R)". National Journal. 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2010-12-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Davis, Tim (2009-10-07). "Hurt announces bid for U.S. Congress". Womack Publishing Service. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  7. ^ a b c "Robert Hurt". Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  8. ^ a b c Rucker, Janelle (2010-06-09). "Hurt picked to challenge Perriello in 5th District". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved 2010-06-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b c Collins, Paul (2010-06-09). "Hurt wins GOP primary". Martinsville Bulletin. Retrieved 2010-06-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b Buck, Amanda (2007-03-28). "Hurt bids for seat in Senate". Martinsville Bulletin. Retrieved 2011-01-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ McNeill, Brian (2010-01-12). "Opponents say Hurt's Web site misleads on voting record". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2010-06-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ McNeill, Brian (2009-10-07). "State senator wants GOP nod for 5th Distric". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2011-01-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ Reed, Ray (2010-08-05). "Hurt addresses tax vote in tea party meeting". The News & Advance. Retrieved 2011-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "State Sen. Hurt aims to return 5th District to GOP". The Washington Times. 2009-10-08. Retrieved 2010-06-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ Wray, Ginny (2008-05-19). "Nomination in hand, Perriello talks strategy". Politico. Retrieved 2011-03-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Sorenson, Adam (30 September 2010). "Virginia's 5th Congressional District: Tom Perriello vs. Robert Hurt Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2019138_2019132_2022665,00.html #ixzz1HTOI172D". Time Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2011. {{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
  17. ^ Isenstadt, Alex (2010-06-11). "McKelvey mum on Hurt endorsement". Politico. Retrieved 2010-06-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Shapiro, Walter (12 November 2009). "Tom Perriello: Virginia's High-Wire House Democrat". Politics Daily. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  19. ^ a b "At 5th District debate, GOP hopefuls stress limiting federal power". The Daily Progress. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  20. ^ "McKelvey pledges support to Hurt". Politico. 2010-08-05. Retrieved 2010-08-25. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "Republicans uniting around Hurt to face Perriello". Danville Register & Bee. 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2010-08-25. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ McNeill, Brian (2010-06-20). "Clark to play role of spoiler in 5th District?". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2011-01-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ Cillizza, Chris (2010-06-08). "Super Duper Tuesday Viewer's Guide". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-06-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ Sherfinski, David (2010-06-06). "Congressional hopefuls assemble war chests ahead of primary". The Washington Examiner. Retrieved 2010-06-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ "Virginia: GOP Poll Portrays Hurt as Unquestioned Frontrunner". Congressional Quarterly. 2010-05-18. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  26. ^ "NRCC Adds 16 To 'Young Gun' Ranks". Congressional Quarterly. 2010-06-30. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  27. ^ "Right Wing Flip-Flop Fight. Gotta Love It". Blue Virginia. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  28. ^ Kirwin, Brian (21 June 2010). "Debates: Rigell, Nye, Hurt Perriello and that's it?". Bearing Drift. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  29. ^ McNeill, Brian (2010-06-18). "Hurt, Perriello differ on 3-way debate". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2010-06-20. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ McNeill, Brian (2010-08-11). "Hurt to skip debate with Perriello, Clark". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2010-08-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ McNeill, Brian (2010-08-12). "Opponents criticize Hurt for skipping 5th District debate". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2011-01-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ Lewis, Dannika (2010-10-10). "Perriello, Clark debate without Hurt". WVIR-TV. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  33. ^ McGrath, Erin; Ray Reed (2010-09-15). "Perriello, Clark meet in 'gentleman's debate'". Nelson County Times. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  34. ^ McNeill, Brian (2010-10-02). "Hurt unseats Perriello". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 2011-01-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ Amos, Catherine (2010-08-21). "5th District campaigns taking shape". Danville Register & Bee. Retrieved 2010-08-25. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ Pershing, Ben (2010-10-15). "Hurt ad calls Perriello a 'rubber stamp' for Obama, Pelosi". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-10-16. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ "Virginia congressional race wrap-up". WTOP-FM. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  38. ^ Helderman, Rosalind S. (2010-11-22). "Hurt, Griffith formally resign from General Assembly to join Congress". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-01-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ McGreall, Chris (20 January 2011). "Republicans repeal healthcare reforms in symbolic vote". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  40. ^ Hatcher, Angela (19 January 2011). "Rep. Robert Hurt hopeful Senate will also pass health care repeal". WSLS. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  41. ^ Casey, Dan (09 January 2011). "Rep. Robert Hurt likes his government-subsidized health care". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved 24 March 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ "Rep. Robert Hurt bashes Obama's budget proposal". WSLS-TV. 2011-02-14. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  43. ^ Hatcher, Angela (2011-02-22). "Rep. Robert Hurt: Senate needs to stop government shutdown". WSLS-TV. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  44. ^ Associated Press (2011-02-19). "House passes more than $60B in spending cuts". CBS News. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  45. ^ McNeill, Brian (28 October 2010). "Hurt promises to cut taxes, regulations". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  46. ^ Moomaw, Graham (24 March 2011). "Tea party calls out Hurt on budget resolutions". The Daily Progress. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  47. ^ "Tea Party disappointed by Hurt's inaccessibility". Jaquith.org. 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  48. ^ Feld, Lowell (25 March 2011). "Robert Hurt Breaks Core Promise, Tea Party "severely disappointed"". Blue Virginia. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  49. ^ a b "Robert Hurt - Elections History". Virginia Public Access Project. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  50. ^ "November 2, 2010 General and Special Elections Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  51. ^ "Robert Hurt Bio". Associated Press. Retrieved 2010-12-20.

External links

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 5th congressional district
January 3, 2011 – present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
391st 		Succeeded by

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