Virginia’s Rep. Hurt to retire

Rep. Robert Hurt (R-Va.) will retire at the end of next year, according to multiple reports.

Hurt first won election in 2010 to represent the central Virginia district, when he unseated the incumbent Democrat Tom Perriello.

Two Democrats have already declared candidacies for the seat: Former Perriello aide Ericke Cage and Albemarle County Supervisor Jane Dittmar.

{mosads}The seat will likely remain in the GOP column despite Hurt’s retirement. Mitt Romney won the district by 7 points in 2012 over President Obama.

Hurt is the second House Republican to announce his decision not to seek reelection after Congress adjourned for the holidays. Centrist Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) announced over the weekend he will retire in 2016, which may offer Democrats a pick-up opportunity.