Republican Virginia Rep. Robert Hurt Won't Seek Re-Election

U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt says he will not seek re-election when his term ends next year.

The three-term Republican from Virginia said in a statement Wednesday that it has been a privilege to serve in Congress, but he's looking forward to returning to private life.

Hurt, who represents Virginia's 5th District, says he never planned on making politics a career. He says he believes it's the ``private citizen and private economy that make this country great,'' not elected leaders.

Hurt was first elected to Congress in 2010 and currently serves on the Financial Services Committee. Prior to that, the lawyer served in Virginia's House of Delegates and state Senate and was a member of the Chatham Town Council.

Virginia House Speaker William Howell called Hurt a ``true public servant.''