WASHINGTON (AP) — On Thursday, former Texas congressman Will Hurd, a former CIA officer and vocal critic of Donald Trump, declared his candidacy for the presidency. Hurd, 45, aims to gain momentum as a more moderate alternative to the Republican front-runner.
During his three terms in the House until January 2021, Hurd emerged as the only Black Republican in the chamber during his final two years. Speaking on “CBS Mornings,” he emphasized the need for common sense and stated his belief that the Republican Party can evolve into a forward-looking party.
In his campaign video, Hurd evoked the notion of the country’s soul being under attack, echoing Joe Biden’s slogan from the 2020 race. He highlighted issues such as illegal immigration, the opioid crisis, inflation, crime, and homelessness, attributing them to President Biden’s inability or unwillingness to address them effectively. Hurd asserted that nominating someone like Donald Trump, a lawless, failed politician, would result in another victory for Biden.
Hurd aims to redefine the landscape of the 2024 race and has described the potential election between the current president and the former one as “the rematch from hell.” He referred to himself as a dark horse candidate and emphasized the need to confront Donald Trump without fear while presenting a distinct vision.
Hurd joins a crowded primary field that includes notable figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, anti-woke activist Vivek Ramaswamy, radio host Larry Elder, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, in addition to Trump.
Having visited Iowa and New Hampshire recently, Hurd seeks to capitalize on the federal felony charges against Trump regarding mishandling classified documents. He stated that he would not pardon Trump if convicted, criticizing other Republican candidates who rushed to make such promises early in the case.
Hurd emphasized the gravity of the mishandled documents, highlighting the potential loss of life if the information fell into the wrong hands. He deemed Trump’s retention of the material while aspiring to lead the free world as unacceptable, asserting that it disrespects those who risk their lives to keep the country safe.
While most Republican candidates focus on targeting Biden rather than Trump, who remains popular among GOP voters, Hurd, Christie, and Hutchinson are willing to criticize Trump and his continued influence on the Republican Party.
In 2020, Hurd chose not to seek re-election to the House, expressing his preference to pursue opportunities outside of Congress in the realm of technology and national security. He embarked on a nationwide tour to promote his book, “American Reboot: An Idealist’s Guide to Getting Big Things Done.”
Hurd represented a highly competitive district in Texas, comprising over 70% Hispanic population and stretching from the outskirts of San Antonio to El Paso, encompassing a significant portion of the Texas-Mexico border.
Prior to his political career, Hurd worked as a clandestine officer in Pakistan and is fluent in Urdu, the country’s national language.
Despite his relatively low national profile, Hurd established a reputation in Congress as a pro-business and pragmatic lawmaker, unafraid to seek bipartisan solutions. Notably, he undertook a two-day road trip with progressive Democrat Beto O’Rourke from San Antonio to Washington, D.C., during a snowstorm in 2017.
While Hurd’s focus has primarily been on cybersecurity issues, he faced criticism and was removed from a keynote speaking slot at a cybersecurity conference in 2019 due to his past votes aligning with Republican stances on abortion restrictions and against a bill supporting women in STEM fields.
Nevertheless, Hurd has long been critical of the divisive social issues promoted by some Republicans, expressing concerns about the culture wars permeating all aspects of American life. He now pledges to bridge political divides that hinder the progress of the country.
Hurd’s entrance into the race maintains Texas’ record of having at least one major presidential candidate who rose to prominence in or lived in the state while running for or holding office. Texas has not lacked a significant presidential hopeful since 1972.