The campaign committee of U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-Helotes) is the latest to throw support behind one candidate running to replace U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) in 2020.
According to a filing with the Federal Election Commission, the Hurd for Congress committee contributed to Josh Winegarner’s bid for the 13th District seat on February 24. The $2,000 contribution was reported in Winegarner’s most recent 48-hour finance report.
Professionally, Winegarner is the industry affairs director and former lobbyist for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Hurd, a moderate Republican who is retiring from the House at the end of his current term, is perhaps best known for his 2017 road trip with former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso), in which the two lawmakers drove from Texas to Washington, D.C. and did a livestream of the drive.
The support from Hurd, which has not included a formal endorsement, follows Winegarner’s support from other establishment lawmakers. Retiring U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) endorsed Winegarner earlier this month in a statement that included thinly veiled shots at two of Winegarner’s most prominent Republican opponents: Wichita Falls businessman Chris Ekstrom and former Physician to the President Ronny Jackson. Winegarner has also been endorsed by retiring U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Midland) and received a contribution from the campaign of U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-California).
Winegarner is one of 15 Republicans running for this seat. Election Day in the Republican primary is March 3.
