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Former Republican Congressman Will Hurd announces 2024 presidential bid

Then-Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) in 2019.
Loren Elliott
/
Reuters
Then-Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) in 2019.

Former Texas congressman Will Hurd announced his 2024 presidential campaign on Thursday, 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.

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 — from 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 aimed to tackle illegal immigration, inflation, and crime.

Former San Antonio Republican Congressman was once touted as "the future of the GOP," but then he stepped away from public office in 2020.

"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 joined the GOP candidate field that includes Trump, his vice president Mike Pence, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, a former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

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