Congressman Robert Hurt is responding to allegations that his family is connected to the uranium mining business. 5th District candidate John Douglass raised the issue at a town hall meeting Monday at C'Ville Coffee, now Hurt is addressing the issue head-on.
We caught up with Congressman Hurt at the Albemarle County Fair where he said those so-called family connections he is accused of having, do not exist.
Hurt stated, "We have made it clear from the beginning that's just an allegation that's completely and totally false."
Congressman Robert Hurt was forward and direct when we asked him about John Douglass' claims that his alleged family connections in the uranium mining industry are a conflict of interest.
Hurt said, "I don't have any interest whatsoever in the any uranium project anywhere. The idea that he would bring all that up and try to bring up something that has been proven false time and time again, I think, shows desperation on his part."
Douglass is sending Hurt a letter asking him to support a federal uranium mining ban which would stop uranium mining within at least 50 miles of populated areas. In the letter, Douglass claims Hurt received more than $3,000 in donations from Uranium Virginia chief executive officers.
John Douglass said, "But I think if you go back and look at the rules that are given for the House of Representatives that extends to the families of the people in office."
But that's not the only stone the Douglass campaign has thrown at Hurt, they claim the Republican congressman has dodged repeated requests for a debate.
Hurt stated, "We've tried to work with him on scheduling and I expect that we'll have a debate between now and the election."
Hurt says he wants to stop with the back and forth and focus on issues like employment.
When asked what concerned him most about Douglass' record, he said he did not know much about it, but looks forward to learning more about what kind of experience he can bring to the table.
