Republican incumbent Robert Hurt and Democratic nominee Lawrence Gaughan’s campaigns are in full swing as they prepare to square off in the upcoming congressional election.
Virginia’s fifth Congressional District has held strongly Republican in presidential elections, with Republican candidates sealing the win in the past five elections. The district is six years removed from electing Democrat Tom Perriello to Congress.
Hurt has focused his campaign rhetoric on jobs, which he said is the most important issue facing the country right now. He hosted a campaign event in Charlottesville during the weekend where he discussed key issues.
“We need to make it easier for working Virginians and mainstream businesses, so that they are able to hire, expand and grow by adopting policies that reduce costs and allow this to happen,” Hurt said. “We still haven’t balanced the budget or gotten the debt down, we need to continue to lower unemployment. There is still quite a bit of work to do.”
Hurt also highlighted fiscal stability in his address.
“We cannot continue to spend money we don't have,” he said. “Young people should not have to bear the burden of debt we are creating.”
Gaughan, a former stage actor and director, is focused on increasing funding for both early and higher education. In 2010, he founded a non-profit organization for education research.
“Where Congress has the ability, we would want to increase funding for early childhood development because early education has a big impact on the long-term future development of children,” Gaughan said. “We also want to strengthen grants and funding for higher education and reducing student loan interest rates and providing better resources for better vocational training.”
Gaughan said his strategy for winning is to bring as many people together as possible to form a coalition, including moderate Republicans, Democrats, independent voters and traditionally non-voters.
“I feel that I stand side-by-side with the vast majority of my voters in their opinions on issues: jobs, education, ending partisanship and gridlock,” he said. “The strategy is to connect with the people and to reach out to them directly and make sure they know that I’m listening to their needs, that way I can effectively be their voice in Washington.”
Gaughan said he plans to run a campaign based on peace, justice and fairness, in the hope of reaching people who may have not voted otherwise.
“I’m not a career politician or someone who comes from wealth or privilege and I believe that connects with most of the voters, who are just ordinary people,” he said. “We are trying to spread the message that their silence is not sending a message to Washington.”
College Republicans Chairman Mac McClure, a third-year College student, said Hurt’s position on the House Financial Services Committee gives Hurt an advantage in the race.
“There is a lot of statewide and nationwide opposition to the policies enacted lately, such as Obamacare, so Hurt focuses a lot on his opposition of Obamacare,” McClure said. “The best a politician can do is advocate for his constituency's opinions and Hurt does that very well.”
McClure said public interaction is a strength of the Republican candidate.
“He’s very active in the district,” he said. “The fifth district is huge land-wise, there’s lots of land to cover and he has a great team to help him reach but he is also very active himself.”
Porter Koolman, a third-year College student and University Democrats Campaign and Party Coordinator, said rising income inequality and increasing the minimum wage are other important issues highlighted in Gaughan’s campaign. Gaughan is seeking to raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour.
Hurt said no matter their party, it is important for young people to be involved in elections because the issues that are being discussed now will greatly affect their futures.
The election will be held Nov. 4.
