http://tinyurl.com/d5esfdl

Even though President Barack Obama and U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine turned Virginia blue on Tuesday, Rep. Robert Hurt, R-5th District, and his fellow Republican Congressmen in the Commonwealth easily kept their seats.

Much different than his first race, Hurt won the 5th District with 55 percent of the vote over Democratic challenger Gen. John Douglass. And he did it while carrying all three of the new counties incorporated in the district.

But now that his freshman term is over what Hurt faces is much of the same as before the election — a Democratic president and majority in the Senate and a Republican-led House of Representatives.

The day after the election Hurt said he is still going to work on the same issues that he did in his first two years of dealing with the troubling economy, cutting down the debt and getting people back to work in his district.

“Those are the main issues,” said Hurt. “And I will not retreat from my commitment.”

Hurt joined his fellow House Republicans in pointing a finger at the Senate for a lack of compromise and doing nothing with the bills that were presented to them. The Senate power remained with the Democrats on Tuesday, but Hurt said now Congress has a new opportunity.

“…They have an opportunity in this new Senate to do the right thing,” said Hurt, who added that they had the opportunity to do this the past two years, but had not done so. When asked if he though the partisan gridlock would change, he said, “we will see,” but seemed slightly optimistic about what is to come saying “…we will work to find an agreement.”
However, Hurt said he was obviously disappointed about Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s loss and former governor George Allen’s failed senate bid.
Hurt had actively campaigned for both candidates, which thrust the young congressman into the spotlight. Virginia was a major swing state in the election for Romney, and Allen was in one of nation’s closest Senate races. Since the 5th District makes up such a large portion of Virginia, Hurt, as a local candidate in a favored seat, was commonly in the middle of the other races. He got the chance to introduce vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan and and Romney’s oldest son, Tagg Romney, when they came through town and delivered the Republican response during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit.

Hurt said he got a lot of enjoyment out of the last six months traveling across the sprawling 5th District to campaign for himself and his party.

“It was very, very exciting,” said Hurt. “The idea that Virginia was right at the crossroads and the idea that we had the candidate for president in the 5th District the day before the election was really quite thrilling.”

However, Hurt’s campaigning through the district was enough to handedly win his election, but could not combat with the other bluer parts of the state.

Now, while Hurt’s own seat seems safer than ever for the elections of the future, he still must deal with the same economic issues with the same makeup in Congress.

Franklin News-Post

By Stacey Hairston

November 7, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/a2a3g5v

Fifth District Rep. Robert Hurt (R, Chatham) was re-elected Tuesday, defeating Democrat John Douglass 55 percent to 43 percent.

Hurt easily carried Franklin County, receiving 66 percent (16,830) of votes to Douglass’ 32 percent (8,274).

Independent Green Party candidate Kenneth Hildebrandt received 381 votes (1.5 percent) in Franklin County.

During the campaign, Hurt vowed to protect Social Security and other benefits for retirees and the elderly.

“Those 55 and older have planned for their retirement with the assumption that Social Security would be there,” Hurt said, promising to vote for budgets that ensure Social Security and Medicare are preserved.

Douglass said he wants to sustain a public Social Security system. “Those who have reached or are nearing retirement increasingly rely on Medicare, Social Security and other retirement nest eggs,” Douglass said. “Wall Street’s efforts to bankrupt and privatize our safety net could put the lives of millions of retirees and veterans in danger.”

In the area of jobs and farms, Hurt is a strong proponent of reducing federal regulations that stifle small businesses and family farms.

“Limited government policies that will lead to unlimited opportunities for families, farmers and small businesses should be implemented,” he said, which is why he introduced the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act that prohibits the EPA from implementing job-destroying regulations on farms.

Douglass said he supports regulatory relief for small farms to allow for greater land use. He also supports increasing the Small Business Administration lending limit, as well as simplifying the tax code to encourage new investors in small businesses.

Hurt of Chatham was elected to Congress in 2010. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2000 to 2006, when he was elected to the Virginia Senate.

He is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and the Mississippi College School of Law. He is also a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

By Time Davis

Chatham Star-Tribune

November 7, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/agww2b6

Fifth District Congressman Robert Hurt won a second term to the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday and Virginia voters elected former Gov. Tim Kaine to the U.S. Senate.

With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Hurt, a Republican, received 56 percent of the vote, while his Democratic opponent, retired Air Force Gen. John Douglass, trailed with 43 percent.

Independent candidate Kenneth J. Hildebrandt finished a distant third with 1 percent.

A former state senator from Chatham, Hurt won easily in Pittsylvania County, where he received 19,724 votes, or 66 percent.

Douglass, who made opposition to uranium mining a centerpiece of his campaign, received 9,986 votes in the county, or 33 percent.

Douglass won in Danville, a Democratic stronghold. He received 10,569 votes, or 55 percent, to 8,260, or 43 percent for Hurt.

Hildebrandt finished with 349 votes in the county and 222 in the city.

In a close U.S. Senate race that featured two former governors, Tim Kaine squeaked out a razor-thin win over George Allen.

Kaine, a Democrat, received 51 percent of the vote to 49 percent for Allen.

Kaine will replace U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, who did not seek re-election. Webb also is a Democrat.

Kaine won in Danville, where he received 11,837 votes, or 60 percent, to 7,895, or 40 percent, for Allen, a Republican who lost the Senate seat to Webb six years ago.

Allen won in the county, however. He received 19,511 votes, or 61 percent, to 11,024, or 39 percent, for Kaine.

Kaine, who served as governor from 2006 to 2010, promised to bring the “Virginia lesson” to Washington.

Virginia voters also approved two constitutional amendments.

The first will amend the state’s constitution so that eminent domain can only be used to take property for public use and not for private gain or increasing jobs or tax revenue.

The second will allow the legislature to delay its veto session by a week to avoid religious holidays.

By Graham Moomaw

Daily Progress

November 6, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/aojscfy

U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt is going back to Washington.

With 98 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday, the Republican freshman had captured 56 percent of the vote, compared with 43 percent for Democratic challenger John Douglass. Independent Green candidate Kenneth J. Hildebrandt had picked up less than 2 percent.

Hurt wins at least another two years in the 5th District seat he captured from former Rep. Tom Perriello in 2010.

At a victory speech in his hometown of Chatham, Hurt thanked his family, staff and supporters.

“I promise that when we go back to Washington, we’re going to get the job done,” Hurt said. “We’re going to create the jobs in this country that have to be created. We’re going to create a climate in which the small business, the Main Street businesses, the family farmers can succeed. And we’re going to balance the budget. And we’re going to pay down this debt. And it’s because of your work.”

Douglass, a retired Air Force brigadier general making his first run for office, publicly conceded the race slightly after 9 p.m.

“Earlier tonight, General Douglass called to congratulate Congressman Hurt on a hard-fought race that has apparently earned him a second chance to choose good over greed by taking action to stop dangerous uranium mining,” Douglass spokesman Chase Winder said in a statement. “We are all so grateful to everyone who supported General Douglass along the way. Our campaign to help Virginia families will now continue through the good people of the 5th District.”

The Associated Press called the race for Hurt at 8 p.m., roughly an hour after the polls closed.

Douglass made an appearance at a watch party in downtown Charlottesville a short time later. He urged supporters to hold out hope.

“This is going to be very close tonight,” Douglass said. “We’re going to see it go back and forth a little bit here. So don’t be discouraged no matter what you hear in these early hours.”

Douglass launched his congressional bid in Northern Virginia’s 10th District, but he switched his run to the 5th after learning his Fauquier County farm was being redistricted into Hurt’s territory.

The race that followed was testy.

Douglass accused Hurt of having a personal stake in a controversial uranium mining project in Southside Virginia due to his father being an investor in the company. Hurt said the charge was false, and blasted Douglass for running a “gutter campaign.”

Hurt ran a series of ads depicting Douglass as a “former lobbyist” and “D.C. insider,” citing time he spent as head of the Aerospace Industries Association. The ads went on to say Douglass lobbied to sell military technology to China.

Douglass’s platform focused largely on supporting education, farmers, military veterans and seniors under a banner promising to “help Virginia families.”

Hurt pressed the same message as in 2010, touting his support for limited government, less burdensome regulations and a balanced budget.

In a phone interview late Tuesday night, Hurt said the victory gave him “renewed desire and commitment.”

Asked if he had anything to say to Douglass, Hurt said the win was an “affirmation” of his positive message.

“I’m very proud of the campaign that we ran,” Hurt said.

The 5th District includes the city of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Buckingham, Greene, Madison and Nelson.

By Heather Rosenbaum

WSET

http://tinyurl.com/d3kx55v

Chatham, VA – First-term Republican Representative Robert Hurt has won re-election in the 5th District.

Hurt beat General John Douglass with 57 % of the vote, and that’s with more than 300 precincts in.

This will be Robert Hurt’s second term in Congress.

A crowd of hundreds joined him at the Chatham Community Center for his victory celebration.

After his speech, Hurt said he will continue to work on unemployment, finishing the job he started. He also says he will focus on balancing the budget and reducing spending. Hurt explained tonight’s win was not just about him but also a victory for his volunteers and supporters.

“It is an affirmation of their hard work. I think it is an affirmation of our message and so it is gratifying and it nice to put this one away,” he said.

Hurt says he enjoyed campaigning and meeting new people, but he is glad to have this behind him.

By Justin Ward

WDBJ7

November 6, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/b3cvjna

Congressman Robert Hurt has been voted into a second term in the 5th Congressional District.

It didn’t take voters long for voters to decide they wanted Congressman Hurt in office.

Hurt made his acceptance speech feel more like a fireside chat than a political speech.

“I feel very strongly and optimistic about the future of this country and I’m an optimistic by nature and I think most Americans are,” Hurt said. “I’m an optimist by nature because I really do believe our brightest days as a nation are ahead of us. They’re ahead of us, they’re not behind us. They’re ahead of us.”

He talked about his experiences touring the 5th District and the people he met.

The district is 10,000 square miles, larger than the state of New Jersey.

Hurt also got serious about his next term, saying he’s ready to reduce the national debt and continue his work in Washington.

Hurt won Fauquier County, that’s his opponent, John Douglass’ home.

Hurt’s winning rally was filled mostly with friends and family.

His mom even cooked ham biscuits.

————————-

According to the Associated Press, Republican Robert Hurt has won his re-election bid to the U.S. House of Representatives‘ 5th District seat.

Hurt defeated Democrat John Wade Douglass and Independent Greens candidate Kenneth Hildebrandt.

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In the 5th Congressional district, current congressman Robert Hurt is seeking a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

His two opponents have put up a fight this election year.

This has been a race that’s focused largely around a decades old debate of uranium mining.

Congressman Hurt has continuously said he doesn’t have an opinion about lifting Virginia’s 30 year ban.

His opponent, General John Douglass, made the issue his number one talking point saying if elected he would ban uranium mining near populated areas.

Hurt spent the day touring the district from Fauquier County in Northern Virginia down to Pittsylvania County.

He voted this afternoon at his poll here in Chatham with his family.

By Tiffany Holland

Danville Register & Bee

November 6, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/ar5tvep

Even before the clock struck 8 p.m., Rep. Robert Hurt’s victory rally was buzzing as media outlets started reporting his victory.

Hurt won the 5th District race against Democratic challenger and retired Gen. John Douglass with 56.6 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns. Hurt’s margin of victory Tuesday was 44,117 votes — nearly five times his 2010 margin of victory.

Many Southside elected officials stood by Hurt’s side at the victory party, including Delegates Danny Marshall, R-Danville, and Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania County, who introduced Hurt.

All the local Republicans seemed not only enthusiastic about Hurt’s race but the night in general.

Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler said it was a “good night for Robert and the 5 th District” and Hurt is a man who understands what people in this area want and that is why he was re-elected.

Hurt said he was confident there was real change coming to Washington in this election, to many cheers from the crowd.

Hurt carried the rural county portion of the 5th District, including his hometown of Pittsylvania County and Douglass’ native Fauquier County. But Hurt lost in Charlottesville and in nearby Danville in Southside.

“ We are going to get the job done,” Hurt said to his energetic and victorious crowd of supporters. “We are going to balance the budget and we are going to pay down the debt because of you all.”

Around 100 supporters and friends attended Hurt’s victory party at the Chatham Community Center.

Hurt spent a good portion of his speech thanking the grassroots efforts and the people working on his campaign.

“ I know it’s not time you get back,” said Hurt. “But that is time well spent and time well invested.”

At 9 p.m. Douglass’ communication director, Chase Winder, sent out an email stating Douglass had called to congratulate Hurt “on a hard-fought race that has apparently earned him a second chance to choose good over greed by taking action to stop dangerous uranium mining,” touching on one of the most controversial issues in the race.

Hurt said he was optimistic about the future of the country because of the people he met on the campaign 
“who want the government to work for them and not the other way around.”

Hurt was considered a safe bet for re-election this year, and his victory speech was wrapped up by 9:30 p.m.

With 302 of 332 precincts reporting, Hurt won 167,971 votes (56.6 percent) to 123,854 votes (41.7 percent for Douglass. Just two years ago, Hurt was elected to Congress in a squeaker, taking 50.8 percent of the vote for a 8,998-vote margin of victory.

Robert Hurt has been endorsed by the Danville Register & Bee, Lynchburg News & Advance, Daily Progress, Gazette Virginian, and Richmond Times-Dispatch in his run for U.S. Congress. Find excerpts and links to the full endorsement stories below.

ROBERT HURT ENDORSED BY DANVILLE REGISTER & BEE

Robert Hurt has earned re-election

The Editorial Board

Danville Register & Bee

October 28, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/8j42gyr

Few politicians have had a rockier road than Robert Hurt. The freshman congressman from Chatham hasn’t struggled at the polls, but his community has struggled with the forces of globalization, offshoring and the need to replace entire industries. But in a career arc that has taken him from Chatham Town Council to the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate to the U.S. House of Representatives, Hurt has not only worked hard for this community, but represented it well. We enthusiastically support Hurt’s re-election to Congress.

ROBERT HURT ENDORSED BY LYNCHBURG NEWS & ADVANCE

An Endorsement: Hurt and Goodlatte for Congress

By The Editorial Board

Lynchburg News & Advance

October 30, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/8nb5qx4

In the Fifth District, we endorse Robert Hurt for a second term. Hurt also is a traditional, Main Street conservative, not a wild-eyed ideologue. He is hardworking, diligent and sincere. His roots in the Fifth District run deep, and he knows and cares about the residents. He believes government has a role in society; he just believes in a smaller, less intrusive federal government that is

more frugal with taxpayer dollars.

ROBERT HURT ENDORSED BY DAILY PROGRESS

Robert Hurt believes in right things

By The Editorial Board

Daily Progress

October 31, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/bq5n29y

The race for Congress in the 5th District has been unexpectedly lively. That’s a good thing for constituents and for the district, because it draws voters into the action and entices them to learn more about the issues and the candidates. Gen. John Douglass has proved to be a spirited opponent for incumbent Rep. Robert Hurt. We salute Gen. Douglass, Democrat, for his energetic efforts despite facing an uphill battle. Taking on an incumbent, especially a Republican incumbent in a Republican-majority House of Representatives, is no easy thing. Independent Green candidate Kenneth J. Hildebrandt also deserves kudos for running. That said, The Daily Progress endorses Rep. Hurt for a second term in Congress. Mr. Hurt believes in the right things.

GAZETTE-VIRGINIAN ENDORSES ROBERT HURT

GV endorsements: Romney, Hurt, Allen

By The Editorial Board

Gazette- Virginian

October 31

http://tinyurl.com/bdcq7w8

This newspaper also enthusiastically endorses the return of incumbent 5th District Representative Robert Hurt to his position in the U. S. Congress so he can continue protecting our freedoms, many of which we have grown to take for granted. During tough economic times, Hurt has worked hard for this community funding educational opportunities for Southside residents, farmers and small businesses while attracting new industries to the area. The congressman has worked to balance the budget, reign in government spending and create new jobs for our area.

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH ENDORSES ROBERT HURT

House of Representatives: Endorsements

By The Editorial Board

Richmond Times-Dispatch

October 25, 2012

http://tinyurl.com/9x6xhto

The 5th District features much of Southside Virginia, a region of great beauty that has not participated fully in the economic boom experienced by the I-95/I-64 corridor. Republican Robert Hurt is a native son; he understands his home. Hurt speaks calmly yet candidly of the federal government’s impact on economic growth. Taxation and regulation adversely affect the small businesses that form his district’s backbone. Hurt distinguished himself in the Virginia General Assembly with an independent streak; his temperament serves as a model for others in a U.S. House peopled with Bonapartes. The Times-Dispatch urges voters in the 5th to cast their ballots for him.