Former Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) has thrown his hat in the ring for the Republican presidential nomination.
BREAKING: Former Texas Rep. @WillHurd announces he’s running for president on CBS Mornings, joining 11 other GOP primary candidates. https://t.co/pk05n5ceEv pic.twitter.com/mLrebFY5hf
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) June 22, 2023
In a video titled “Common Sense in Complicated Times,” Hurd stressed that he is the best candidate to secure the White House for the GOP in 2024, as he argued that choosing Trump again would harm the party’s chances of defeating President Joe Biden. He even described a potential rematch between Trump and Biden as a “rematch from hell.”
“President Biden can’t or won’t solve these problems. And if we nominate a lawless, selfish, failed politician like Donald Trump—who lost the House, the Senate, and the White House—we all know Joe Biden will win again,” he stated.
Hurd’s announcement focused on a range of crucial issues, with a particular emphasis on illegal immigration and the Biden administration’s border policies.
He expressed concern about the threats posed by enemies abroad, the influx of illegal immigrants and dangerous drugs like fentanyl, growing crime rates, rising inflation and the increase in homelessness across U.S. cities.
Hurd has been a vocal critic of Trump and has differed with the 45th POTUS on immigration matters in the past, asserting that the former president’s border wall is the “most expensive and least effective” approach to securing the border.
Drawing on his extensive experience, Hurd highlighted his two decades of service on the front lines, including his time as a CIA officer actively hunting down terrorists in the Middle East. He also stressed his congressional record of fighting for lower taxes, border security, and increased opportunities for the middle class.
While he has occasionally aligned with Democrats on certain issues, such as gun-related matters, LGBTQ rights, and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, Hurd’s website highlights his unwavering support for traditionally Republican stances on issues bordering on the economy, immigration, school choice, and foreign policy.
Hurd’s entry into the race adds him to a potentially growing list of 11 GOP candidates topped by Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. While he acknowledges that he faces strong opposition, he told CBS News that he is a “dark-horse candidate.”
The effect his candidacy would make on the outcome of the elections remains to be seen, but it sure adds an intriguing element to the Republican primary, as some concerns have emerged about the crowded primary potentially splitting the anti-Trump vote, leading to Trump’s nomination. On the other hand, others argue that it is still early in the election cycle, suggesting that the crowded field may not have a significant impact.
