*By Christian Smith* Chris Hurst was a news anchor in Roanoke, Va., in 2015 when his girlfriend, fellow journalist Alison Parker, was shot and killed live on-air. That defining tragedy launched Hurst's career in politics, taking him to the Virginia General Assembly. "I knew that I needed to leave the television station, but I didn't want to leave southwest Virginia," The Democratic Virginia State Delegate said Friday in an interview on Cheddar. "I had spent 10 years here as a journalist and felt like it was a natural progression to ー instead of just reporting on the problems we see out there every day ー to actually try to come up with some of the solutions as a public servant." The issue closest to his heart is gun control. But Hurst said he needs to have an "objective, almost journalistic approach" to the issue if he wants to get policy changed. "It needs to be evidence-based and data driven if you're going to try and get a policy implemented," he said. Hurst said that philosophy convinced voters to choose him over incumbent Republican Delegate Joseph Yost in Virginia's conservative-leaning 12th District in 2017. Hurst's path to politics is the focus of NowThis's new documentary "Virginia 12th," which he hopes serves as a thank you to the volunteers who propelled his campaign to victory. "For me it's really a tribute to all of the people who came out in support of my campaign by knocking on doors and making phone calls, and in particular college students," he said. "Virginia 12th" is currently available on the NowThis YouTube channel. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/new-documentary-virginia-12th-tells-story-of-chris-hursts-path-to-politics-after-tragedy-struck).

Share:
More In Politics
Breaking Down Election Night
Julia Manchester, Reporter for The Hill, joined Cheddar to discuss the repercussions of republican victories on election night.
Former Georgia Police Chief on Portland Mayor's Policing Budget Plan
Clarence Cox III, a former police chief from Georgia, joined Cheddar to discuss Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's plans to greatly increase the city's police budget. "I think his investments, as I read and understand, are in the right areas," Cox said. "Body-worn cameras are something that I'm a very big proponent of, and I think the mayor's going in the right direction with some of the initiatives."
Polar Bears International Calls on World Leaders to Take Real Steps on Climate Crisis
Alysa McCall, director of conservation outreach and staff scientist at Polar Bears International, joined Cheddar to discuss the ongoing fight to protect polar bears from extinction while world leaders gathered to discuss the climate crisis. McCall explained her organization's mission "to ensure the long term survival of polar bears by helping ensure their arctic sea ice habitat remains intact." McCall said she hopes actionable steps are taken after the UN climate summit to mitigate the crisis and not just more promises.
Load More