Former Texas Congressman Will Hurd announced his 2024 presidential campaign Thursday morning — making him the first Texas politician to put his name down in the GOP race for the presidency.
Hurd first made the announcement during an interview on "CBS Mornings" and later tweeted out an official video.
I’m in.
— Will Hurd (@WillHurd) June 22, 2023
Join me at https://t.co/UoYuhkf2zJ pic.twitter.com/M19lU9GzDh
The San Antonio native and former CIA officer represented the state's 23rd Congressional District — which spans hundreds of miles along the South Texas border — 2015 to 2021. The position is now held by Congressman Tony Gonzales.
Hurd is known as a moderate member of the Republican Party and has been an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump.
"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 said.
Hurd — who calls himself the "common sense Republican" — said he aims to tackle illegal immigration, inflation, and crime.
"As president, I'll put our American security and prosperity first. And I'll give us the common-sense leadership America so desperately needs," he said.
He joins the a GOP candidate field that includes Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
Copyright 2023 Texas Public Radio. To see more, visit Texas Public Radio.