Thursday brought an unexpected announcement: former CIA officer and ex-Texas congressman Will Hurd, known for his public disagreement with Donald Trump, announced his presidential run. Hurd, 45, aims to emerge as a more moderate contender in the Republican line-up.
Hurd, who served three terms in the House until 2021, carved out a unique position as the only black Republican during his last two years in office.
During his announcement on “CBS Mornings,” Hurd asserted, “We need common sense. I believe the Republican Party can be the party of the future, not the past.” Echoing sentiments expressed by Joe Biden during his 2020 campaign, Hurd stated in his campaign video that the “soul of our country is under attack.”
In the video, Hurd called attention to the many challenges America faces, such as illegal immigration, the opioid crisis, rampant inflation, and rising crime and homelessness rates in our cities. Asserting that President Biden either can’t or won’t solve these issues, Hurd dismissed the idea of nominating Trump, referring to him as a “lawless, selfish, failed politician.”
Bringing a new perspective to the 2024 race, Hurd characterized himself as a “dark horse candidate” and emphasized the need to “articulate a different vision” in contrast to Trump’s.
The burgeoning primary field already includes prominent figures like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and others.
In the wake of Trump’s recent indictment on federal felony charges for mishandling classified documents, Hurd’s critical stance towards the former president might offer a fresh perspective in the primaries.
Hurd stood firm on his decision not to pardon Trump if convicted in the federal documents case. He criticized fellow Republican candidates who were quick to promise a pardon, calling it “insane” to make such a commitment early in the case.
Hurd condemned Trump’s mishandling of classified documents, highlighting the potential risk to national security and the disrespect shown to those working in intelligence and defense.
While many Republican candidates seem more focused on opposing Biden than Trump, who remains popular among GOP voters, Hurd, along with Christie and Hutchinson, isn’t afraid to challenge Trump’s influence on the Republican Party.
Having declined to seek reelection to the House in 2020, Hurd decided to “pursue opportunities outside the halls of Congress to solve problems at the nexus between technology and national security.”
Throughout his career, Hurd has shown a commitment to bipartisan consensus and pragmatism, even driving for two days from San Antonio to Washington D.C. with Democrat Rep. Beto O’Rourke when a snowstorm canceled their flights.
Despite some controversy over his stances on social issues, Hurd pledges to bridge the political divide that he believes hampers the country’s progress.
“America is better together,” Hurd declared Thursday. “And way more unites us than divides us.”
Hurd’s entry ensures that Texas maintains its lengthy streak of producing at least one major presidential candidate – a tradition unbroken since 1972.
