By Thomas Warren III, Editor-in-Chief

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd’s latest moves to support Josh Winegarner in the July 14 Republican runoff for U.S. House District 13 are raising concerns from conservative voters across the district.

Last week, we reported on an announcement by Hurd’s Super PAC, Future Leaders Fund, that is plans to become involved in the District 13 runoff to back Winegarner. However, it is the group’s specific announcement regarding its plans to discredit Winegarner’s opponent, Dr. Ronny Jackson, which is drawing most of the attention.

For those who may not be aware, Hurd has had a complicated past with conservative issues. Hurd’s record is nothing to be proud of when campaigning to conservative voters, as the American Conservative Union scored Hurd at just 59 out of 100 on conservative issues during 2019. His lifetime score stands at just 68 out of 100, giving him the lowest score of any Republican currently representing a Texas congressional district. Hurd has also been consistently at odds with President Donald Trump on a number of issues.

Voters can debate the merits of Hurd’s positions, but his support for Josh Winegarner is something which is not up for debate. Hurd appears to be all in for Winegarner, with his campaign backing the lobbyist-turned-politician, and now his Super PAC is also backing the Thornberry-endorsed candidate.

In saying all of this, it is worth noting that Winegarner has pledged to “stand with President Trump” in a campaign commercial and declared himself the only candidate who can “drain the swamp.” However, when Winegarner is consistently pulling in support from establishment politicians like Hurd and U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, but no support from grassroots politicians, one must wonder whether Winegarner will actually follow through with that campaign promise or if his pledge to “drain the swamp” is just another empty promise by a politician in no position to run on his own merits. It should also be asked whether Winegarner will truly follow through with his pledge to support Trump when one of his top backers, Mr. Hurd, is an outspoken Trump opponent. Factor all of this in with Winegarner’s support by the Amarillo establishment’s own campaign arm, Amarillo Matters, and you have the recipe for a candidate with little, if anything, to offer grassroots voters.

If Winegarner wants to be taken seriously on any of his pledges, then he first must answer for his alignment with Hurd. Otherwise, his support system and record as a lobbyist should tell District 13 voters everything they need to know about this career lobbyist-turned-aspiring lawmaker.