<p>Former US Representative Will Hurd, a moderate who was once the sole Black Republican in Congress, on Thursday joined the crowded race to beat Donald Trump for the party's 2024 presidential nomination.</p>.<p>Hurd, 45, announced his candidacy in a video and a Twitter post that stressed unity, the economy and equal opportunity for all Americans - and pulled no punches in taking on the former president.</p>.<p>"If we nominate a lawless, selfish, failed politician like Donald Trump - he lost the House, the Senate and the White House - we all know Joe Biden will win again," Hurd said.</p>.<p>Painting a stark contrast to Trump, Hurd said his vision of America would acknowledge science, address mental health, and be inclusive and understanding.</p>.<p>"It's not a given that this vision for America will happen, but it can if we focus on our timeless principles and limitless potential, not self-interest in politics," Hurd said.</p>.<p>A former undercover CIA officer in the Middle East and South Asia, Hurd served on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee. He was first elected to Congress in 2014.</p>.<p>Hurd did not run for re-election in his southern Texas border district in 2020, saying he wanted to pursue opportunities outside Congress.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a data-ved="2ahUKEwiFzN_cmtf_AhXNBd4KHYraAG0QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/former-us-vp-mike-pence-to-seek-2024-republican-presidential-nomination-1225125.html">Former US VP Mike Pence to seek 2024 Republican presidential nomination</a></strong></p>.<p>In 2019, he strongly criticized tweets by then-President Trump saying four progressive Democratic minority congresswomen, including one born in Somalia, should "go back" to where they came from.</p>.<p>"Those tweets are racist and xenophobic," Hurd said at the time.</p>.<p>Trump remains the front-runner in the crowded field of Republicans aiming to unseat President Joe Biden, the likely Democratic candidate in 2024.</p>.<p>Hurd is the second Black candidate in the Republican race, joining US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.</p>.<p>He is the latest long-shot candidate to join a group that also includes Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former Governors Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Chris Christie of New Jersey.</p>.<p>Since leaving Congress, Hurd has worked as a managing director at Allen & Company, a board member for OpenAI, and trustee of the German Marshall Fund, according to his website. He also has been a fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics.</p>.<p>Hurd for America submitted a candidacy filing with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday. </p>
<p>Former US Representative Will Hurd, a moderate who was once the sole Black Republican in Congress, on Thursday joined the crowded race to beat Donald Trump for the party's 2024 presidential nomination.</p>.<p>Hurd, 45, announced his candidacy in a video and a Twitter post that stressed unity, the economy and equal opportunity for all Americans - and pulled no punches in taking on the former president.</p>.<p>"If we nominate a lawless, selfish, failed politician like Donald Trump - he lost the House, the Senate and the White House - we all know Joe Biden will win again," Hurd said.</p>.<p>Painting a stark contrast to Trump, Hurd said his vision of America would acknowledge science, address mental health, and be inclusive and understanding.</p>.<p>"It's not a given that this vision for America will happen, but it can if we focus on our timeless principles and limitless potential, not self-interest in politics," Hurd said.</p>.<p>A former undercover CIA officer in the Middle East and South Asia, Hurd served on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee. He was first elected to Congress in 2014.</p>.<p>Hurd did not run for re-election in his southern Texas border district in 2020, saying he wanted to pursue opportunities outside Congress.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a data-ved="2ahUKEwiFzN_cmtf_AhXNBd4KHYraAG0QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/former-us-vp-mike-pence-to-seek-2024-republican-presidential-nomination-1225125.html">Former US VP Mike Pence to seek 2024 Republican presidential nomination</a></strong></p>.<p>In 2019, he strongly criticized tweets by then-President Trump saying four progressive Democratic minority congresswomen, including one born in Somalia, should "go back" to where they came from.</p>.<p>"Those tweets are racist and xenophobic," Hurd said at the time.</p>.<p>Trump remains the front-runner in the crowded field of Republicans aiming to unseat President Joe Biden, the likely Democratic candidate in 2024.</p>.<p>Hurd is the second Black candidate in the Republican race, joining US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.</p>.<p>He is the latest long-shot candidate to join a group that also includes Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former Governors Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Chris Christie of New Jersey.</p>.<p>Since leaving Congress, Hurd has worked as a managing director at Allen & Company, a board member for OpenAI, and trustee of the German Marshall Fund, according to his website. He also has been a fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics.</p>.<p>Hurd for America submitted a candidacy filing with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday. </p>