Meet U.S. Rep. Will Hurd and his Democratic challenger, Gina Ortiz Jones

“Meet U.S. Rep. Will Hurd and his Democratic challenger, Gina Ortiz Jones” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Texas’ 23rd Congressional District is enormous – stretching west from San Antonio along the U.S.-Mexico border and stopping just short of El Paso. Its politics are as diverse as its terrain. It is the the only true swing congressional district in Texas. In 2016, more voters in the district chose Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican Donald Trump while also re-electing Republican U.S. Rep. Will Hurd. It was the first time an incumbent held on to the seat for a second term in eight years.

The district is once again a top race for both parties this year, with Hurd, a former CIA officer, running for re-election against Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones.

Since 2016, Hurd has often gained the most attention for his opposition at odds with Trump. He publicly criticized the president’s handling of Russia’s meddling in U.S. elections. He’s also advocated for continuing an Obama-era immigration program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and argued against building a wall along our southern border – two positions at odds with Trump

Jones, a San Antonio native who served as a former Air Force intelligence officer for 14 years, is working to highlight that the vast majority of Hurd’s votes have been in line with what Trump wanted.

In the latest video from our Split Decision campaign debate series, watch the two candidates discuss their views on gun laws, Trump’s border wall and who can better channel an impression of the district’s famous native son, actor Matthew McConaughey.