Press/Media
-Totally Out-of-Place for Incumbent State Senator Robert Hurt-
| In a desperate attempt to distract voters from the truth, State Senator Robert Hurt has sent out an attack on Jim McKelvey's campaign literature which explained to the voters in the Fifth Congressional District how Robert Hurt's record is similar to our current Congressman Tom Perriello. FACT Robert Hurt is a lawyer. So is Tom Perriello. FACT Jim McKelvey is a businessman. As a successful local businessman, Jim actively supports local small businesses that hire local people that provide our community with economic opportunities. FACT Robert Hurt voted with the Democrats for the largest tax increase ($1.6 Billion) in Virginia's history, when our Republican statewide ticket of Robert McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli voted AGAINST this tax increase (HB 3202, 2004). FACT Robert Hurt has not come out in favor of the Fair Tax after repeated questions during numerous 5th District Congressional debates. FACT Robert Hurt does not support term limits. He is a ten year career politician. FACT Robert Hurt voted to give rights and benefits to same-sex couples that include insurance benefits for homosexual couples. This bill is praised by all national pro-homosexual groups. (SB 945, 2009). FACT Robert Hurt supports prohibiting law enforcement officers when investigating a crime to ask persons if they are an illegal alien. (SB 462, 2010). Another Robert Hurt attack piece mailed by him insinuates that Jim McKelvey is in favor of a Fifth District tax district. Nothing can be further from the truth. FACT As a local lakefront developer, Jim McKelvey personally contributed $1,000 to the maintenance of a clean Smith Mountain Lake, not a Fifth Congressional District Tax as Senator Hurt's literature falsely states. Jim supported a private "surcharge on property that directly benefits from the lake is reasonable to pay for cleanup and removal of weed, waste and water quality because of state budget cuts." McKelvey stated in the Roanoke Times that with the value of lakefront property continuing to climb, "we are making money off this lake. We should all participate in the maintenance of it. A surcharge on property that directly benefits from the lake is reasonable and more viable than relying on donations." Because of Jim's efforts, he along with other lake residents, were able to convince Appalachian Power (AEP) that it was the company's responsibility to maintain the water quality of Smith Mountain Lake, thereby relieving the tax payer of any financial burden. Despite Robert Hurt's attempt to claim that he is one of us, he continues to rely upon his Richmond, Washington, D.C. and out-of-state political and media consultants. FACT According to the latest Federal Election Commission Finance Reports, State Senator Robert Hurt has more political consultants and paid staff than all the other six candidates combined. Advancing Strategies LLC - Consulting Fees - $44,000 Holtzman Vogel PLLC - Legal Fees - $ 9,500 Forest Consulting - Accounting Fees - $10,150 Public Opinion Strategies - Polling Fees - $15,000 Scott Howell Media (Dallas, TX) - Media Fees - $72,869 Bennedetti & Farris - Fundraising Fees - $49,125 Jackson-Alvarez Group - Research Fees - $13,487 TOTAL $214,131 It is clear, when one views the facts, that Robert Hurt is running away from a record that he simply cannot defend. Despite Robert Hurt claims that the McKelvey campaign is "desperate" or is "running negative and false attacks", the facts are the facts. Jim McKelvey stated: "I'm sorry Robert, the Truth Hurts." ### |
