This is a transcript of an exclusive interview with Will Hurd, a former Texas congressman and current candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, which was aired on “Face the Nation” on August 6, 2023.
MAJOR GARRETT: Welcome back. Most Republican candidates vying for the party’s nomination are cautiously responding to the recent indictment, fearing that they may alienate the President’s substantial base of support. However, former Texas Congressman Will Hurd is taking a different approach. Congressman, it’s good to have you here. During your speech in Des Moines, you boldly stated that the only reason the former president is running is to avoid prison. It was rumored that you were booed off the stage. Some Republicans even texted me in real-time, stating that they believed you appeared weak. Looking back, do you have any regrets regarding your words or actions?
FORMER US REP. HURD: Absolutely not. What people fail to acknowledge is that there were actually individuals who clapped when I made that statement. Furthermore, it was the end of my speech, so I casually walked off. I stand by what I said. This is one of the factors that sets me apart in this race. I have consistently held the belief that Donald Trump poses a national security threat and is incapable of building our brand since 2015. I am the only candidate who has never submitted to Donald Trump, and I intend to maintain this position. If we want to win elections, we should be discussing how to achieve unprecedented peace at a time when China is striving to surpass us as the global superpower. We should focus on providing world-class education when our children are struggling with math, science, and reading, resulting in some of the worst scores in this century. These are the pressing issues we should address, not Donald Trump’s controversies. If people agree with me, I urge them to visit hurdforamerica.com and contribute at least $1 to help me secure a spot on the debate stage.
MAJOR GARRETT: Will Hurd, what does it tell you when you compare your poll numbers with those of the President, and witness the overwhelming support Republicans express towards Trump rather than candidates who criticize him severely?
REP. HURD: The election is still 25 weeks away, and a lot can change. Those who believe these odds are insurmountable, I disagree with them. No one believed a Black Republican could win in a district that is 72% Latino and spans 820 miles of the border. However, it happened because I visited places where people never expected me to be. National polls do not determine a presidential election; it consists of 50 separate elections. These polls will inevitably tighten, and our goal is-
MAJOR GARRETT: Fair enough, but you cannot point to a single state poll where you have reached double digits.
REP. HURD: That is because the election is not taking place today or tomorrow. There are still 25 weeks left. Building a campaign and connecting with people who are fed up with the current state of the country takes time. It is clear that two-thirds of Americans do not want either Donald Trump or Joe Biden on the ballot. Moreover, if Donald Trump becomes the Republican nominee, we are essentially handing four more years to Joe Biden. So let me be unequivocal, Major, our goal is not to peak prematurely. Our goal is to reach the summit before the first election.
MAJOR GARRETT: Alright, let’s discuss something that is happening much sooner than 25 weeks from now: the first Republican debate. Will you qualify for that debate stage? If so, how will you manage it?
REP. HURD: I have not yet reached the required threshold, but I am confident that we will get there.
MAJOR GARRETT: Are you close?
REP. HURD: Yes, I am close.
[CROSSTALK]
MAJOR GARRETT: Can you define “close”? Is it around 10,000?
REP. HURD: I prefer not to delve into the specifics, but I am very close. That’s why I urge everyone watching this show to visit hurdforamerica.com and donate at least $1 to ensure that someone with unwavering ideological consistency meets the requirements to be on the debate stage.
MAJOR GARRETT: Why do you continue to identify as a Republican?
REP. HURD: I remain a Republican because I believe in a robust foreign policy, individual freedom, and actual personal responsibility. However, I acknowledge that these principles are not always reflected in all party members. Nevertheless, I find them embodied by the people who vote for Republicans. Through my extensive travels across the country, I have discovered that many individuals are tired of the Democratic Party’s direction. They yearn for a candidate who is not disrespectful, racist, misogynistic, or homophobic. This is the opportunity the Republican Party has, and it represents our brand-
MAJOR GARRETT: –Are you saying that Donald Trump possesses all four of those traits?
REP. HURD: There are times when he exhibits some of those traits, as do other candidates in this race. We should not even be discussing slavery in 2023, as there is no merit in advocating for it. Major, I am running as a Republican candidate for the 2024 presidency. Thank you for having me here.
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