Friday, May 4, 2012
As Re-election Campaign Begins, Hurt Stresses Economic Opportunity
The Daily Progress
Graham Moomaw
April 30, 2012
Rep. Robert Hurt kicked off his re-election campaign Monday with a swing through Virginia’s 5th District that included a stop at the Albemarle County Republican headquarters. “We have worked very, very hard on the House side to deliver on the message that you sent to Washington in 2010,” Hurt, R-Chatham, said to a crowd of about 60 people. “…It is a message of limited government and unlimited opportunity. That’s what this election is going to be about.”
Hurt hit on many of the themes that have become familiar over his first term, criticizing the White House and the Democratic Senate for inaction that he said has led to persistently high unemployment, higher gas prices and the continuation of a burdensome and unwanted health care law. He also called for increasing the supply of domestic energy and getting federal spending under control.
The freshman congressman is facing Democratic opposition from John Douglass, a retired Air Force brigadier general who went on to work as a lobbyist for the aerospace industry.
Making It Official
Danville Register and Bee
Tiffany Holland
April 30, 2012
Two years ago in an office at 625 Piney Forest Road, campaign volunteers worked hard to bring a victory to U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt’s first congressional run for the 5th District.
On Monday, many of the same faces gathered in the same office to support the Pittsylvania County native in his re-election bid for Congress.
Joined by Delegates Danny Marshall, R-Danville, and Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania County, Sen. Frank Ruff, R-Mecklenberg and about 50 other people, Hurt listed many of the issues he considered important, including repealing the Affordable Care Act, jump starting the economy, getting gas prices down and cutting federal government spending.
Hurt, who was elected to Congress in a Republican wave, said other members — especially the Democrats who control the Senate — have not gotten the message.
“It’s spending,” said Hurt, who added that eliminating spending and reducing regulations is necessary for economic growth. The freshman congressman was also critical of the White House.
“The president, with all due respect, has not demonstrated any leadership,” said Hurt to a fired up crowd.
Danville resident Shelby Burnett came out to support Hurt and said she was proud of her congressman.
“He has visited all the areas of the district and he listens to people,” Burnett said. “He did the best he could with what he is up against.”
During Hurt’s two years in office, he introduced bills limiting federal regulations on farm dust and the SHORE Act, which ensures private property rights are taken into consideration as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulates hydropower projects, the latter of which was a result of local constituents expressing their concerns to the congressman.
