Hurd says he’s retiring from Congress to boost diversity within GOP

Texas Congressman Will Hurd, the only African American House Republican, said he is retiring to help increase diversity in the GOP. 

On CBS’s “Face the Nation” Sunday, Hurd — who has been more vocally opposed to President Trump than others in his party — denied that he isn’t seeking another term over fear of the president’s impact on a successful race in his purple district. 

“No I’m interested in helping other candidates like me. I think, I want to see a Republican Party that has more folks that, that look and sound and operate like I do,” Hurd said. “I think it’s an opportunity for me to help, you know, phenomenal candidates.” {mosads}

Hurd announced late last week he would be retiring, becoming the sixth House Republican in a week and from Texas to announce his departure as the GOP looks to gain back its House majority in 2020.

Hurd pushed back on the idea that being in Congress is the “end all or be all.”

“The party is defined by the people that are in it, not necessarily the politicians. And so this gives me the freedom and flexibility to operate in other parts of the country,” Hurd said. 

To gain back its majority, Republicans need to win 18 or 19 seats, the exact total depends on the outcome of a race for a North Carolina district. 

Now they will need to win back Hurd’s district, which The Cook Political Report moved from a “Toss Up” to “Lean Democratic.”