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Hurt to seek Hawkins’ Senate seat
Tuesday, March 27, 2007 2:46 PM EDT
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Del. Robert Hurt
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Del. Robert Hurt announced Tuesday he will seek Sen. Charles Hawkins’ seat in the Virginia Senate.
Hawkins, who has served in the General Assembly 26 years, said last week he will not run for another four-year term in November and plans to retire.
Hurt, a Chatham lawyer first elected to the House of Delegates in 2001, will seek the Republican nomination in the 19th Senate District, which includes Danville, Pittsylvania County, Franklin County, and part of Campbell County.
So far, Hurt is the only candidate for Hawkins’ seat.
"I ran for office because I felt like I had things to offer, and I believe I can continue to offer that same leadership in the Senate,"said Hurt, 37. "I will not be able to fill his (Hawkins’) shoes, but will do everything I can to follow in his footsteps."
Hurt’s decision to run for the Senate means his 16th District seat in the House of Delegates is open. The district includes Danville, Pittsylvania County, and part of Henry County.
Hurt said he has always tried to make constituent service the hallmark of his representation.
"In the past six years, I think I have been responsive to the needs of my constituents and always done my best to represent them fully and completely," he said. "It’s been an honor, and, if given an opportunity to serve in the Senate, I will continue to do that."
Hurt, who maintains an active law practice, likes the idea of Virginia’s citizen legislature.
"Good ideas come from constituents you see at ball games, on the street, at the grocery store. That’s the satisfying part of the job," he said. "It makes it harder for legislators to forget who gave them the privilege to serve."
Looking ahead, Hurt believes job creation is the key to the region’s economic success.
"When I first announced my candidacy for office in 2001, I promised the people of the 16th District that I would dedicate my time and energy to achieving the economic prosperity that we deserve," he said.
Toward that goal, Hurt said his primary objective has been to work with state and local officials to improve the district’s economic base and attract new and diverse industries.
That "teamwork" has paid off in thousands of jobs from companies like Swedwood, Yorktown Cabinets, and, just last week, Matrix Technologies Inc., a "green" company that will create 500 jobs in Pittsylvania County’s Ringgold East Industrial Park.
"As a result of these aggressive efforts, we have attracted new industries, new research investment, expanded workforce training and higher educational opportunity, and I believe that we have improved K-12 education for our children," Hurt said.
Education and economic development go hand in hand, added the legislator, who has supported additional funding for Patrick and Danville community colleges and better pay for teachers.
"Businesses will not locate unless they believe we have a good work force," said Hurt.
Public safety also a primary concern for Hurt. In the House, he serves on the Courts of Justice Committee.
In addition, Hurt is a member of Attorney General Bob McDonnell’s Youth Intern et Safety Task Force, which drafted legislation to increase penalties for child predators on the Internet.
"That is ground-breaking legislation and will be a model for other states,"said Hurt.
Hurt also serves on the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee and Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee.
In a legislature that routinely deals with 3,000 bills during the session, Hurt said sometimes what’s important is what isn’t done.
"Government that governs least governs best. I have always been guided by that principle,"said Hurt, who has fought for fewer government regulations and introduced legislation to reduce government regulations on businesses.
Rural lawmakers also managed to defeat legislation that would have changed state’s transportation funding formula to favor more urban areas, he said.
During the recent session, Hurt enjoyed a number of legislative successes, but was disappointed his bill creating an excise tax on illegal drugs failed.
Similar legislation has been adopted in 30 states, including North Carolina, where it brings in about $9 million a year.
"It’s a way to help make people who cause a problem pay for a problem," the lawmaker said, noting the tax supports law enforcement.
Hurt grew up in Chatham, where his family is well known. His grandmother, Frances Hallam Hurt, is a popular writer and helped launch Pittsylvania County’s literacy program. His father, Henry Hurt, is a former editor for Reader’s Digest who now owns a rare book store on Main Street.
Hurt attended Hargrave Military Academy and graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria.
He later attended Hampden-Sydney College, graduated with a degree in English in 1991, and earned his law degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 1995.
Hurt was a chief assistant prosecutor in Pittsylvania County from 1996 to 1999, when he joined attorney Victor Millner in private law practice.
He was elected to Chatham Town Council in 2000, and served until being elected to the House of Delegates.
Hurt is a member of the Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission Rural Center, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Board, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission, Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee, Virginia State Crime Commission, and Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program Commission.
He also is a member of the Virginia Bar Association Board of Governors, Chatham Rotary Club, and an elder at Chatham Presbyterian Church.
Hurt and his wife, Kathryn, have three children: Charles, 8; Clement, 5; and John, 3. They live on Main Street in Chatham.
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