Will Hurd has dinner with students after a talk at the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. — Will Hurd has dinner with students after a talk at the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College on July 20, 2023 in Hanover, New Hampshire. (Photo by David Degner / New York Times)

Will Hurd’s New Hampshire Campaign

Fun update: I also photographed and filmed Will Hurd as he watched the first Republican Presidential Primary Debate, for Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/08/24/will-hurd-republican-debate-00112727

Originally published in the New York Times: On the Road With Will Hurd, the Bipartisan Candidate in Search of a Base

Former Representative Will Hurd of Texas, known for his bipartisan approach to politics and his cross-country road trip with Democratic colleague Beto O’Rourke, is running for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election. Hurd, a Black Republican who has represented a majority Latino district, is positioning himself as a more moderate candidate in a political landscape where sharper partisan lines are common.

Will Hurd shakes hands while waiting for his lunch at the Hooksett Welcome Center. — Hookset, New Hampshire – July 20: Will Hurd shakes hands while waiting for his lunch at the Hooksett Welcome Center on July 20, 2023 in Hookset, New Hampshire. (Photo by David Degner / New York Times)

Hanover, New Hampshire – July 20: Will Hurd talks over details of his next stop on July 20, 2023 in Hanover, New Hampshire. (Photo by David Degner / New York Times)

However, Hurd faces significant challenges in his quest for the nomination. He has a substantial shortfall in staffing, name recognition, and fundraising compared to other candidates. Hurd has also refused to sign a pledge to support the Republican party’s eventual nominee, a requirement laid down by the Republican National Committee, potentially barring him from participating in the debates, a crucial platform for gaining attention.

Will Hurd gives a talk at the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College on July 20, 2023 in Hanover, New Hampshire. (Photo by David Degner / New York Times)

Hurd is making an effort to connect with voters by arguing that he brings something different to the race. He doesn’t support some of the more contentious positions held by others in the party, instead focusing on topics like potential competition from China and the impact of AI on the future.

Will Hurd takes questions after a talk at the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College on July 20, 2023 in Hanover, New Hampshire. (Photo by David Degner / New York Times)

Will Hurd has dinner with students after a talk at the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College. — Will Hurd has dinner with students after a talk at the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College on July 20, 2023 in Hanover, New Hampshire. (Photo by David Degner / New York Times)

Hurd’s base of potential supporters includes a broad range of individuals who reject the more toxic elements of current politics and are seeking a more moderate vision for the future of the Republican Party. Hurd’s task is to prove that this base is large and committed enough to secure him the nomination.

Will Hurd walks back to his car after a talk at the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College on July 20, 2023 in Hanover, New Hampshire. (Photo by David Degner / New York Times)