The Fifth District Congressional race between Democratic incumbent Tom Perriello and Republican challenger Senator Robert Hurt is heating up this week, both on TV and in print.
Perriello’s latest campaign advertisement (watch below) attacks Hurt for missing the first Fifth District candidate debate, held in Charlottesville on August 11. On that day, Perriello squared off against Independent candidate and Tea Party member Jeffrey Clark. Hurt had previously said he would not participate in any debates that include Clark, because the Republican candidate argues Clark is not a viable candidate. (According to the Martinsville Bulletin, support of 10 percent of district voters in an independent poll might change that stance.) The ad likens missing the debate to skipping a job interview:
Perriello also came under attack recently when signs were banned at town hall meetings—a move that Rutherford Institute President John Whitehead criticized as "an act of outright censorship that raises grave constitutional concerns."
"Historically, town hall meetings have been public forums wherein constituents can hear and address their representatives," said Whitehead in a press release. "In such an environment, the public’s right to freely express themselves should be at its zenith, which is something our Constitution protects."
Perriello has announced a series of 20 town hall meetings around the district through September 3. As of today, signs will be allowed at the remaining meetings, according to the Daily Progress.