Christina Bellantoni August 6, 2010, 9:44 AM

Things just got a little easier for state Sen. Robert Hurt, who is challenging freshman Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) in one of the most closely-watched races in the nation. Hurt’s staunchest rival in the primary has come around, with that former candidate saying he’s now backing Hurt (R-VA) because of positions Hurt has taken that put him firmly on the far-right’s side, including a promise to cut funds for what conservatives think are unconstitutional government agencies.

As TPM has chronicled, Hurt at first faced an uphill battle as he tried to win over GOP voters in the central and southside Virginia district. Tea party groups said he wasn’t conservative enough because he voted for a $1.38 billion tax increase in 2004, and they balked when it was obvious Hurt was the preferred candidate of the Washington establishment as a longtime state lawmaker. But even though his less-experienced rivals fizzled out, tea party groups refused to endorse Hurt and a third-party candidate is still trying to throw a wrench in things. But Thursday, Hurt made nice with tea partiers and former candidate Jim McKelvey endorsed him after more than a month of holding back.

The Lynchburg News and Advance, which eavesdropped on the tea party meeting at the Monte Carlo Italian Restaurant, heard Hurt wooing tea partiers by justifying his tax hike vote and ripping on spending in Washington:

Hurt got the evening’s loudest applause when he said, “If we could get rid of the IRS, that would be the greatest thing we could do.”

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) also attended to explain to the group why they should back Hurt.

McKelvey’s endorsement earlier in the day said Perriello “is part of the problem” since he backed President Obama’s agenda on health care, the stimulus and the environment. He said despite his earlier attacks, he’s convinced Hurt will uphold the principles he holds dear: low taxes, opposing gay marriage and abortion, protecting gun rights and “de-funding ACORN.” (Hurt also has promised to “de-fund” health care reform.)

But catching our eye on McKelvey’s outline of Hurt’s promises were some items that read like Sharron Angle’s Christmas wishlist:

8. De-funding Extra-Constitutional Agencies- Robert has promised to work to cut or eliminate funding to government agencies which have no constitutional basis for existence.

12. Supporting the 10th Amendment- Robert has promised to make every effort to use the Tenth Amendment as originally intended to limit the size and scope of the federal government.

McKelvey concluded that the race is key to the Republicans’ chances this fall:

The Speaker’s gavel must be taken out of Nancy Pelosi’s hand.

The Democrat’s control of the House of Representatives must end.

The socialist policies of Barack Obama must be stopped if we are to survive as a nation of free people.

Periello told reporters at a recent breakfast hosted by Third Way that he never expected to get tea party support. There may be several groups with intra-tea sparring, he said, but the one thing they agree on is not liking him very much.

“They are torn in my district because they genuinely don’t like the Republican candidate and don’t think he’s a real conservative but they also hate me a great deal,” Perriello said. “So trying to choose between those two emotions is something they are going to struggle with.”

Jim McKelvey, Robert Hurt, Tom Perriello, VA-05