In a significant political turn, President Donald Trump has publicly withdrawn his support for Congressman Jeff Hurd (R-CO), shifting his endorsement to primary challenger Hope Scheppelman. This rare act of endorsement revocation occurred on Saturday via a post on Truth Social, where Trump expressed his disapproval of Hurd's stance against the administration's trade policy.
The controversy stems from Hurd's vote against elements of the president's tariff agenda, which Trump has touted as a cornerstone of his economic policy. Specifically, Hurd opposed H.J.Res. 72, a resolution aimed at curbing the president's emergency tariff powers, and criticized tariffs targeting Canada. Representing Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, an area with a vested interest in trade policy due to its rural and energy-producing regions, Hurd's position has now placed him at odds with the president.
President Trump's initial endorsement of Hurd came in October, following Hurd's election to succeed Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) in January. At the time, Trump lauded Hurd as an "incredible representative." However, the congressman's recent votes have led to a dramatic shift in the president's support, with Trump accusing Hurd of prioritizing foreign interests over American economic policy and labeling him a "RINO" (Republican in Name Only).
In contrast, Trump's new endorse, Hope Scheppelman, is a Navy veteran and former vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party. Since launching her primary challenge last June, Scheppelman has firmly aligned herself with Trump's trade and economic policies, earning her what Trump described as his "Complete and Total Endorsement."
The endorsement switch comes at a time when tariff policy is a hot-button issue in Washington. Just a day before Trump's announcement, the Supreme Court struck down parts of the president's tariff authority, leading the administration to quickly invoke another law to maintain the tariffs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has assured that the administration's trade strategy remains on course despite the judicial setback.
With the Republican primary for Colorado's 3rd District set for June 30, 2026, the race is heating up. While the district has a recent history of leaning Republican, its past competitiveness cannot be overlooked. Trump's endorsement could be pivotal, signaling his enduring influence within the GOP and suggesting that loyalty to his trade policies may be a litmus test in the primaries.
The political landscape of Colorado's 3rd Congressional District is now clearly divided, with an incumbent who has distanced himself from Trump's trade policies and a challenger who embraces them. As the primary approaches, trade policy is expected to be a central issue, potentially shaping the district's political future.
