Hurt proposes five debates for 5th District

State Sen. Robert Hurt has proposed the 5th District GOP host five debates before the June primary for the seven candidates hoping to challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Tom Perriello in November.

In a news release sent Thursday, Hurt called on all 21 Republican unit chairs in the district to work together to sponsor, schedule and plan the debates across the district in the coming months.

“I believe that by having the local Republican committees develop the plan for these five debates, Republican voters across the 5th District will be well served by increased debate attendance, greater participation by smaller units and the greater likelihood of widespread press interest,” Hurt said in a statement.

“I believe that having the candidates communicate directly to Republican voters about our vision for the 5th District will help ensure that we select the strongest candidate to defeat Tom Perriello and to represent our conservative values in Washington,” Hurt’s statement said.

Fellow Republican candidates Laurence Verga, Ron Ferrin, Ken Boyd and Jim McKelvey all overwhelmingly agreed to participate in any debates that were planned.

“The more, the better,” Verga said.

McKelvey echoed his sentiment.

“My take is: three times a week until election time is good for me,” McKelvey said. “The more people that can see us, the better.”

The TEA Party groups within the district have already planned three debates, beginning Jan. 22 in Charlottesville. There will be a second TEA Party debate in the Lynchburg area in February, with a third March 20 in Danville, according to Danville TEA Party leader Nigel Coleman.

And although Coleman said “all seven (candidates) had signed onto our three (debates),” Hurt’s spokesman, Chris LaCivita, clarified that they had not yet agreed to attend any other debates — especially during the legislative session. This year, the General Assembly’s 60-day “long session” will begin Jan. 13. The primary will be held in June.

The University of Virginia College Republicans have also scheduled a debate Feb. 8 in Charlottesville.

Because of those four scheduled debates, candidate Michael McPadden said he thought Hurt’s idea was “overkill” and that Hurt was “late to the game.”

“I think the three the TEA parties are putting together are gonna be a great venue for each of the Republican candidates to get their message out,” McPadden said. “I’m not sure five more on top of that would be prudent … I’m really against Robert Hurt’s idea. Put me down as a ‘strong no.’”

Candidate Feda Kidd Morton could not be reached for comment.