The latest 2024 presidential contender, Will Hurd, acknowledged Sunday that while he is a "dark horse" in the race, his experience in national security sets him apart from the crowded field.
"I'm a dark horse candidate, I recognize that," Hurd, a former Texas representative, and critic of former President Donald Trump, told ABC This Week anchor Jonathan Karl.
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Former CIA officer Will Hurd tells @JonKarl that he recognizes that he’s a “dark horse candidate" in GOP presidential race.
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 25, 2023
“But we've seen over the last couple of days that we need people that have a real experience when it comes to national security.” https://t.co/Po0ntM2zuM pic.twitter.com/jaq4m5VMoL
Hurd pledged Sunday he would continue support for Ukraine one day after Russia endured a brief revolt from the paramilitary Wagner Group, saying the events have revealed a deeper need for people who have "real experience when it comes to national security."
"It's unfortunate the two leading Republican nominees for president, Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, [their] policy on Ukraine is wrong," Hurd said, noting that Trump has "some good ideas" but lacked the ability to leverage the U.S. government and that DeSantis lacks "experience when it comes to foreign policy."
Hurd, a former CIA clandestine officer, also accused the Biden administration of "wringing their hands and doing nothing" as the mercenary group led a short-lived rebellion in Russia.
He also responded to comments made by United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said earlier in the day that the U.S. was supporting Ukraine in taking back territory that's been captured from them by Russia over the past 16 months, rather than since 2014, when Crimea was illegally annexed.
"We should be making sure that we're supporting Ukraine and pushing the Russians out of Crimea, out of the Donbas," Hurd said, adding, "I hope that was just him misspeaking."
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When pressed about why voters should support him over more than a dozen candidates currently led by Trump, Hurd said the past two administrations have "failed in the western hemisphere to build our allies."
"And why should every American care about this? Every American should care, because the Chinese government is trying to surpass us as a global superpower," Hurd added.