The seat has been compared to that of North Shropshire, where voters left the Conservatives for the Lib Dems in a by-election in December following the resignation of Owen Paterson.
The North Shropshire vote took place shortly after the release of a video showing Downing Street staff laughing at a party breaking the blockade, which is believed to have influenced the vote.
Ms Hurford, a former director, said she was “not impressed” by the revelations of the “partygate”.
“I’m a teacher, I’m one of the rules,” she said. “I’m glad things started: the changes to number 10 have been followed, or the guide that was suggested.
“But right now at the door, we’re getting: ‘cost of living, cost of living and cost of living.’
“And we also have Putin’s war with Ukraine. That’s what worries everyone.”
Watch the Telegraph documentary on the Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton by-elections on Monday at Telegraph.co.uk