UPDATED:
Congressman Tom Perriello released the following statement on Saturday in response to reports that a suspicious substance was found in a letter at Senator Robert Hurt's office:
"Violence and intimidation have no place in our politics, ever. If this was meant to be a threat, and particularly if it was in any way politically motivated, I hope the cowards behind this will be caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Nothing undermines democracy like trying to replace political arguments with threats or violence. My thoughts are with Mr. Hurt and his staff during this scary time, and my thanks once again are with law enforcement officials for their rapid and professional response."
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Hazardous materials teams and investigators combed the headquarters of Republican congressional candidate Robert Hurt after a letter containing white powder was opened in his Chatham office.
Hurt's campaign spokesman Sean Harrison said the powder was found in an envelope Hurt opened Friday afternoon. Harrison said tests were being run on the substance.
He said Hurt was with his family Friday evening. "Robert's first concern is for the safety of his staff and the workers who may have handled this mail at the post office," Harrison told News 7 in a brief statement Friday night. Law-enforcement authorities declined to comment on the case.
Hurt is trying to move from Virginia's State Senate to the U.S. House of Representatives. He is challenging first-term Democrat Tom Perriello for Virginia's 5th District seat in Congress.
The race is one of the nation's most closely watched midterm House races.
