Judge Jack S. Hurley Jr.

Judge Jack S. "Chip" Hurley Jr. is a Circuit Court Judge for the 29th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, which covers Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell Counties.

A lifelong resident of Southwest Virginia, Judge Hurley has become a central figure in the 2026 redistricting battle, known for his "strict constructionist" approach to the Virginia Constitution.

1. Education and Early Career

• Education: He received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College and earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Richmond School of Law.
• Legal Background: Before ascending to the bench, Hurley had a diverse legal career in Tazewell:
• • Prosecutor: He served as the prosecutor for the Town of Tazewell.
  • Private Practice: He worked as a private attorney, deeply involved in the local legal community.
  • General District Court: He served as a judge for the 29th Judicial District Court before being elevated to the Circuit Court.

2. Judicial Appointment and Political Context

• Appointment: Hurley was appointed to the Circuit Court by Governor Bob McDonnell (R) in August 2012.
• Political History: Outside of his judicial career, Hurley has roots in Republican politics; he notably ran for the Virginia House of Delegates as a Republican in 1999.
• Reputation: In Southwest Virginia, he is viewed as a scholarly and traditionalist judge. Critics in Richmond have accused GOP leaders of "forum shopping" by filing redistricting cases in his court, while supporters argue he is one of the few judges willing to strictly enforce procedural mandates that more urban courts might overlook.

3. Role in the Redistricting Fight (2025–2026)

Judge Hurley has been the primary "roadblock" to the Democratic-led redistricting overhaul. In the case of McDougle v. Nardo, his rulings have focused on three specific areas:

• Procedural Integrity: He ruled that the General Assembly violated the constitution by adding redistricting to a special session called for a different purpose.
• The "Postage" Rule: He famously upheld a century-old requirement that the state must mail notice of constitutional changes to local courts, a rule the state ignored.
• Ballot Clarity: Most recently, on April 22, 2026, he barred the certification of the referendum results, calling the ballot language—which used the phrase "restore fairness"—"flagrantly misleading" to voters.