Robert Hurt

Robert Hurt (born June 16, 1969) is an American attorney and politician who served as the U.S. representative for VA's 5th congressional district from 2011 to 2017, where he served on the Financial Services Committee as vice chair of the Capital Markets Subcommittee and Housing and Insurance Subcommittee.

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.

Hurt was raised in Chatham, Virginia, 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 J.D. degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 1995.

He served as a chief assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for Pittsylvania County from 1996 to 1999.

From 1999 to 2008, Hurt worked in a general law practice with the firm of H. Victor Millner Jr. P.C. in Chatham.

Hurt also graduated from the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership program in 2000.

Prior to his election to the Virginia General Assembly in 2001, Hurt served on the Chatham Town Council and as chief assistant commonwealth's attorney for Pittsylvania County.

Hurt was born in New York City, where he lived for about nine years.

His father, Henry Hurt, was a journalist and editor for Reader's Digest.

Hurt was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2001 and served three terms.

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.

In November 2007, Hurt was elected to the Senate of Virginia, winning 75 percent of the vote.

In 2008, Hurt opened up his own law practice in Chatham.

Hurt is a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Hurt began his political career as a member of the Chatham Town Council.

He was elected with 82 percent of the vote.

On October 7, 2009, Hurt officially declared himself a candidate for VA's 5th congressional district.

The district stretches from Charlottesville to Southside Virginia and west to Bedford and Franklin counties.

Hurt was the Republican establishment candidate in the primary and was not received well by the Tea Party.

On June 8, 2010, Hurt won the Republican nomination with a plurality in a crowded field of six other candidates.

All of Hurt's opponents in the primary endorsed him.

A local Tea Party Leader said his group would "unite behind" and "support" Hurt.

Hurt campaigned against Democratic incumbent Tom Perriello and Independent candidate Jeffrey Clark in the general election.

Republicans viewed his as a pickup opportunity and poured resources into the race.

Perriello was listed as one of the 10 most vulnerable House incumbents by Roll Call.

Hurt was a member of the National Republican Congressional Committee's "Young Guns" program.

On June 12, Hurt stated that he would "absolutely" participate in debates that included all the candidates, including Independent candidate Clark.

Just days later, Hurt stated that he would not debate Clark.

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 tried to justify their position by insisting this was untrue.

He represented the 16th District, which includes part of Pittsylvania County.

He was elected and re-elected to the House of Delegates with at least 62 percent of the vote.

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.

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.

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.

After 16 years in public office, Hurt stepped down from Congress in January 2017 and was invited to Liberty University to work as vice president and founding director of Liberty's Center for Law and Government.

In 2019, Hurt was asked to concurrently work as dean of the Helms School of Government at Liberty University.

Prior to representing Virginia's 5th district, Hurt practiced law and served as a citizen-legislator from Southside Virginia, representing Virginia's 19th Senate District for three years and Virginia's 16th House of Delegates District for six years.

Hurt represented the 19th district, which includes the city of Danville, all of Pittsylvania and Franklin counties, and part of Campbell county.