"…a political pedigree and
popularity that could make him the
GOP frontrunner and a potential
formidable foe for U.S. Rep. Tom
Perriello."
(Roanoke Times, 10/8/09)
"…by all accounts, it's an A-list
challenger who's signed on to make
the race." – Isaac Wood, UVa Center
for Politics
(Danville Register & Bee,10/8/09)
"…has name recognition among
voters in conservative Southside."
(Danville Register & Bee, 10/8/09)
"…perceived as the party favorite…"
(Danville Register & Bee, 10/8/09)
"…formidable resume…"
(Associated
Press, 10/7/09)
"'I was hoping Robert Hurt would
throw his hat in the ring,' said Neil
Vener, commonwealth's attorney of
Campbell County. 'I think he's the
best candidate for the 5th District.'"
(Lynchburg News & Advance, 10/7/09)
"…among the top targets for national
Republicans in 2010."
(Roll Call,1/27/09)
"…Hurt has represented some
170,000 residents of the 5th District."
(Charlottesville Daily Progress, 10/7/09)
"Larry J. Sabato, director of the
University of Virginia's Center for
Politics, said that Hurt is the No. 1
choice of the national Republicans."
(Charlottesville Daily Progress, 10/7/09)
"Hurt has solid conservative
credentials and has sponsored
common sense legislation in the
General Assembly…"
(Danville Register & Bee, 10/18/09)
"He is a smart, personable candidate
and will no doubt work hard if he gets
the nomination."
(Danville Register & Bee, 10/18/09)
"Virginia state senator Robert Hurt
announced today he's running against
Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) next year,
landing Republicans a leading recruit
against one of their top 2010 targets."
(Politico, 10/7/09)
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"Considering the district's voting
history, if Hurt were to run, it would
be a difficult match up [for Perriello]."
– Isaac Wood, UVa Center for Politics
(Charlottesville Daily Progress, 9/11/09)
Upon Hurt's entry into the race, Cook
Political Report ranked Perriello as
one of the nation's top 10 endangered
Democrat incumbents, placing the race in it's "Toss-up" category:
"Republican state Sen. Robert Hurt's entry into the race against Perriello
is hardly a surprise, but confirms that this races should be one of the most
competitive in the country."
(Cook Political Report, 10/8/09)
National Journal ranks Perriello as the 3rd-most vulnerable incumbent in the
entire country:"...a strong nominee could be able to exploit Perriello's weakness in this very
Republican leaning CD. State Sen. Robert Hurt is the likely choice..."
(National Journal, 10/8/09)
CQ Politics now rates the 5th District
race as a toss-up and Perriello as one
of the 8 most vulnerable Democrats
in the country: "The emergence
of at least one strong Republican
contender — state Sen. Robert
Hurt — has tipped the CQ Politics
rating on the race into the Tossup
category."
(CQ Politics, 10/23/09)
Rothenberg Political Report now
rates the 5th District race as a "Pure
Toss-Up," one of only 10 seats held
by incumbent Democrats in that
category.
"Republicans got their man to run again Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA)..."
(The Hill, 10/7/09)
"His state Senate district covers
about a quarter of Perriello's
Charlottesville-based district, and
Hurt represented even more of
the district before he ascended to
the state Senate in 2008."
(The Hill,8/21/09)
"the odds-on frontrunner."
(The Hill,8/21/09)
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