Will Hurd refuses to sign RNC pledge to back Republican nominee: 'Not going to support Donald Trump'
Former Texas representative and 2024 presidential candidate Will Hurd revealed he will not agree to the Republican National Committee's requirement to endorse the 2024 nominee in order to debate other candidates.
The RNC has a loyalty pledge in which Republican candidates who wish to debate onstage this August must support the eventual Republican nominee. Hurd spoke out against the pledge on Thursday, saying he would not be signing any pledges and that he does not believe parties "should be trying to rig who should be on a debate stage," during a CNN interview.
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“I am not in the business of lying to the American people in order to get a microphone, and I’m not going to support Donald Trump,” Hurd said. “And so I can’t honestly say I’m going to sign something even if he may or may not be the nominee.”
Will Hurd, the newest Republican 2024 contender, says he won’t sign the RNC pledge to support the nominee. “I’m not going to support Donald Trump.” Asked if Trump betrayed the nation if the allegations against him are true, he says, “100% he did.” pic.twitter.com/GGKWgZlyCN
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 23, 2023
Hurd added that the RNC can do "whatever the RNC wants to do," but he said that he does not believe political parties should be trying to "rig that process of who's on the stage."
On social media, Hurd reiterated his refusal to sign the pledge, saying "We pledge allegiance to the United States, not political leaders."
"I'm working to fulfill the debate requirements, but I'm not going to lie to the American people or my party for the sake of a microphone," Hurd wrote on social media.
We pledge allegiance to the United States, not political leaders. I'm working to fulfill the debate requirements but I'm not going to lie to the American people or my party for the sake of a microphone. https://t.co/UoYuhkfAph https://t.co/bLvlqK1FtD
— Will Hurd (@WillHurd) June 23, 2023
In April, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel informed 2024 GOP aspirants about the requirement. She argued that she would be "kicked out" if she said she would not support the GOP nominee and asked why Republicans would host a debate without every candidate saying they would support "whoever the voters choose."
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Hurd is not the first Republican candidate to criticize the requirement. Both former President Donald Trump and former Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) have pushed back on the commitment. Hutchinson argued the party should instead ask candidates to promise not to mount a third-party challenge.
The first debate is set to take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which the RNC voted on back in February. Fox News has been selected to moderate the debate.