Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) clinched the GOP nomination for Colorado's 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday, according to Decision Desk HQ, surviving a turbulent primary season marked by President Donald Trump's abrupt endorsement reversal.
Trump initially withdrew his backing earlier this year, accusing Hurd of insufficient support for the president's aggressive tariff policies. The former president then endorsed Hope Scheppelman, a former vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party. But Scheppelman exited the race, and Trump reversed course again, re-endorsing Hurd just a month later.
Despite the whiplash, Hurd easily defeated far-right primary challenger Ron Hanks, a candidate who entered the race after Scheppelman dropped out. Hanks had positioned himself as a more Trump-aligned alternative, particularly on trade and immigration, but failed to gain traction against the incumbent.
The 3rd District, which covers Colorado's Western Slope and parts of the Eastern Plains, is a reliably Republican seat. Democrats have not won there in over a decade, making Hurd's primary victory effectively a ticket to Congress this fall.
On the Democratic side, former U.S. Army officer Dwayne Romero is competing against businessman Alex Kelloff for the nomination. The Democratic primary winner will face Hurd in November, but the district's conservative lean gives Hurd a strong advantage.
Hurd's win underscores the limits of Trump's endorsement power in intra-party battles, particularly when incumbents with established local support hold firm. The president's flip-flopping on Hurd drew criticism from some GOP operatives who saw it as erratic and counterproductive.
The race also highlighted internal GOP divisions over trade policy. Hurd's skepticism of Trump's tariff agenda put him at odds with the former president but resonated with some district voters who prioritize agricultural exports and free-market principles.
Meanwhile, Trump's legal battles continue to shape the national political landscape. The Supreme Court dealt a blow to Trump by upholding birthright citizenship in a landmark ruling, and the Court also rejected Trump's appeal in the Carroll defamation case. These decisions have not diminished Trump's influence over GOP primaries, but they underscore the legal headwinds he faces.
In Colorado's other primary races, Senator John Hickenlooper is facing a progressive challenge in the Democratic Senate primary, while several other down-ballot contests are drawing attention from political analysts.
Hurd's victory sets the stage for a general election where national issues like tariffs, immigration, and the ongoing fallout from Trump's legal troubles will dominate. The incumbent's ability to navigate the Trump endorsement saga may serve as a template for other Republicans seeking to balance party loyalty with local concerns.
