President Donald Trump announced Friday that he would re-endorse U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, reversing his decision last month to support MAGA loyalist Hope Scheppelman in the upcoming CD-3 election.
In a Truth Social post, Trump spoke about his decision while also announcing that Hope, along with her husband Steven Scheppelman, would be joining his administration “in a capacity to be determined.” The decision to drop out and put the strength of the GOP behind Hurd appeared to be a mutual choice between Trump and the Scheppelmans.
“Together with them, we decided that Congressman Jeff Hurd, of Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, should in no way, shape, or form, be impeded from winning the District in that the Democrat alternative is a DISASTER for our Country,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Trump’s initial dispute with Hurd came over his opposition to the Trump’s use of tariffs and led to the switch in support to Scheppelman. Trump announced his support for Scheppelman and opposition to Hurd in a post late last month.
“Congressman Hurd is one of a small number of Legislators who have let me and our Country down,” Trump wrote in a post Feb. 21. “Hope Scheppelman has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.”
In a post now pinned on his X account, the freshman house member pushed back, “I represent Colorado’s Third District, and I will always put our communities first.” Now, with his relationship with the Trump seemingly patched up and his main GOP opponent sidelined, Hurd looks set to win the June 30 CD-3 Republican primary.
“I’m grateful for President Trump’s support and appreciate his efforts to unify Republicans in Colorado’s Third District,” Hurd said in a post on X shortly after the Trump’s announcement. “The President and I share the same goals: securing the border, American energy dominance, and helping working families.”
On the other side of the ticket, Democrats Dwayne Romero and Alex Kelloff entered the CD-3 primary race looking to challenge Hurd in the November election.
“No matter the Republican nominee in November, Dwayne will remain focused on affordability, accountability, and service-driven leadership,” Romero’s campaign said in a news release Friday.
Democrats appear hopeful about flipping the seat, despite the westernmost district going to Trump by about 10 points in 2024, according to The Downballot. In recent years, they have been within reach, coming closest in 2022 when Democrat Adam Frisch lost to GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert by only about 500 votes.
“Trump is worried we’re going to win this seat, a testament to all the work our campaign has been doing the last 11 months,” Kelloff’s campaign said in a statement to the Herald.
Whatever the outcome of the Democratic primary, it appears that Trump has successfully eliminated a potential primary predicament in an election cycle where the GOP cannot afford to lose any extra seats.
“I will continue to focus on representing Colorado’s Third District, delivering results for rural Colorado, and running a serious campaign to earn the support of voters across the district,” Hurd wrote on X.
Jake Mittleman, a junior at American University in Washington, D.C., is an intern for The Durango Herald. He can be reached at jmittleman@durangoherald.com.
