Hurt and Griffith Begin Ads

Virginia Senator Robert Hurt and House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith have begun airing ads in their quests to out freshman lefty Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) and Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), respectively.  They are basically just name ID pieces, but well done.

See the ads below:

 

H/T – Jason @ BearingDrift

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Hurt Opens Up 23 Point Lead On Perriello

In a SurveyUSA poll taken for Roanoke’s WDBJ-TV, Virginia Senator Bob Hurt has a 58% – 35% lead over incumbent 5th District Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA). 

Perriello, who defeated 6-term Republican Virgil Goode by 727 votes in 2008, today trails among most demographic groups. Among men, Hurt leads by 19 points. Among women, Hurt leads by 26. White voters back Hurt 2:1; black voters back Perriello 2:1. Twice as many Democrats cross over to vote Republican as Republicans who cross over to vote Democrat. Independents break Republican. Perriello runs most strongly among Democrats, African Americans, liberals, moderates, those who have unfavorable opinions of the Tea Party movement, among pro-choice voters, and among those who do not own guns … each of which is today a minority among likely voters in VA’s 5th district.

The composition of likely voters for this survey is 42% Republican, 27% Democratic. This composition reflects an energized Republican base and an enthusiasm gap for Democrats, evident in SurveyUSA polling from around the country. If the electorate is more Democratic than shown in SurveyUSA’s model here, the Republican still wins, though his margin of victory is less. For example, if hypothetically there were an even number of Democrats and Republicans in the likely voter model, Republican challenger Hurt wins today by 11 points, not 23.

H/T – Bearing Drift

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Cuccinelli – Hurt Can Raise Money During Legislative Session

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has issued an opinion that Virginia Sen. Robert Hurt (R-Pittsylvania) can raise money for his congressional race during this year’s General Assembly session.  Virginia law prohibits members of the legislature from raising money while the legislature is in session.  Cuccinelli’s opinion states that this prohibition does not apply to federal races.  Hurt is seeking the GOP nomination to challenge Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA).  According to Cuccinelli:

However, it is my further opinion that such prohibition does not restrict fundraising activity related to a campaign for federal office. Finally, it is my opinion that federal law pre-empts Virginia’s fundraising prohibition when a General Assembly member solicits or accepts contributions solely for a federal office.

This opinion is in line with the practice in other states – states with far more stringent campaign finance laws than those of the Commonwealth.  However, some of Hurt’s opponents for the GOP nod are not convinced:

"Although it may be legal, it certainly isn’t ethical," said Laurence Verga, a private real estate investor from Ivy and one of Hurt’s rivals in the June 8 primary. "The American people are tired of career politicians like Senator Hurt who put their personal aspirations above their ethical obligations."

Verga said the intent of the 1997 law that forbids Virginia lawmakers from accepting contributions was to "prevent lobbyists from buying votes."

While Delmarva Dealings has not been a supporter of Hurt’s campaign, Cuccinelli’s opinion was the right call.

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