CO-3 Rep. Jeff Hurd talks reelection bid and Trump’s re-endorsement

Rep. Jeff Hurd is “happy” to be re-endorsed by President Donald Trump, but said the endorsement that “really matters” is that of his constituents in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.

Hurd was elected to Congress by southern and western Colorado voters in November 2024. Trump initially endorsed Hurd’s 2026 reelection bid last fall before rescinding it to support Republican primary challenger Hope Scheppelman. Trump then re-endorsed Hurd on March 20 when Scheppelman suspended her campaign.

 

“I think with respect to the re-endorsement, the president was unhappy with a vote that I took on tariffs; but as I explained to him and his team, this was a vote that I felt was in the best interests of my district,” Hurd told the Chieftain.

Hurd also said that he trusts Trump’s team told the president that Hurd has been a “stalwart supporter” of border security, growing the country’s energy economy, and “making life more affordable for working families.”

The incumbent congressman’s affordability platform includes efforts to lower the cost of energy through permitting reform. He also spoke about his support for tax cuts, making healthcare more affordable, and creating opportunities for businesses through stable regulations.

 

When it comes to jobs, Hurd told the Chieftain there are opportunities to grow in the energy sector and manufacturing. Pueblo County specifically has potential for job growth at places like PuebloPlex, he said.

“I think Pueblo has a tremendous amount of possibilities,” Hurd said. “There’s a great history when it comes to manufacturing, building things and having good jobs that support families.”

Hurd also takes pride in the work that’s been done to keep Comanche Unit 2 online. The Pueblo County coal unit was set to retire at the end of 2025, but has been extended to operate until the end of 2026.

On the issue of border security, Hurd said he believes the border is “dramatically more secure” under Trump than it was during the Biden administration. However, he said the country needs to remain “vigilant” and “focused” when it comes to preventing human smuggling and smuggling of drugs like fentanyl.

Hurd said he is supportive of actions taken by the Trump administration and allies to ensure Iran does not have nuclear weapons and disable its ballistic missile system. However, he also said energy costs associated with a complex geopolitical situation have been “passed along” to his constituents in CO-3 and that things need to be done to keep costs down.

Despite the suspension of Scheppelman’s campaign, Hurd will end up having a Republican primary opponent in former state legislator Ron Hanks, who stitched together a last-minute effort to get on the ballot and qualified at the GOP assembly for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District on April 10.

Hurd defeated Hanks and four other candidates in the 2024 GOP primary and said he will win again in 2026.

“Ultimately, what I have now, that I didn’t have then is a record — a record of results, a record of hard work, a record of working with and showing that I can partner with not only counties and cities here in the district, but also colleagues in congress, including on the Democratic side of the aisle, getting results,” Hurd said.