Chris Hurst (Virginia politician)


Chris Hurst is an American journalist, former news anchor and politician of the Democratic Party serving as a Delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates for the state's 12th district.
Hurst entered politics after the high-profile 2015 on-air murder of his girlfriend, Alison Parker, and made gun control one of his top legislative priorities.

Early life and education

Hurst was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Emerson College from 2006 to 2009, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Career

Hurst began his career as a journalist for WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia. He became an anchor for WDBJ at 22, which the station claimed made him the youngest anchor in the country.
Hurst entered politics in the aftermath of the 2015 on-air murder of his girlfriend, Alison Parker. In February 2017, he left his job and lived on his savings to run for the Virginia House of Delegates. In the race, Hurst was endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, while his opponent, incumbent Delegate Joseph R. Yost, had an A rating from the NRA. Hurst also ran on LGBT rights, education, mental health, and Medicaid expansion.
Hurst defeated Yost in the November 2017 election, receiving 54.3% of the vote. Hurst won reelection in 2019, defeating Republican challenger Forrest Hite.
During his first legislative term, Hurst had 15 bills signed into law.
Hurst currently serves as the Chair of the General Laws - Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process Subcommittee.

Political positions

Environment

Hurst has worked to delay the construction of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline to ensure the project adheres to safety and environmental regulations and has pushed for property rights protections.

Transportation

Additionally, Hurst has played an active role working with the Northam administration and colleagues across the aisle to pass a transportation package that would fund improvements for Interstate 81.

Alcohol

Hurst also helped pass a law that will flip Virginia's remaining “dry” localities to “wet.” He said the law will help businesses that want to sell liquor by the drink avoid the tedious process of getting permission from the legislature to do so, and that it will contribute to economic growth.
On January 26, 2020, Hurst was pulled over in Christiansburg, Virginia under suspicion of intoxicated driving. He failed a field breath test with a BAC level of.085 which is above the legal limit in Virginia and was not arrested. The Christiansburg Police Department opened an internal investigation following this incident.

Electoral History