House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is heading to Texas Oct. 17 as part of a multi-state fundraising swing and to help endangered freshman Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas.
"National security is a key issue for voters in Texas and around the country and for good reason,” Ryan spokesman Zack Roday said in a statement to McClatchy. “President Obama's failed foreign policy of leading from behind has not worked. Will Hurd served in the CIA and his national security expertise gives Texas's 23rd Congressional District a key voice in this crucial debate.”
Ryan is “all in” for Hurd, said Roday. The freshman lawmaker, who is African American, is in a close race against former Rep. Pete Gallego, who was the incumbent Democrat that Hurd defeated in 2014. University of Virginia Center of Politics director Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates the race a toss-up.
The seat is the only competitive congressional race in Texas. There are 36 members of Congress from the Lone Star State - 25 Republicans and 11 Democrats. The 23rd district is a majority Latino district and has changed parties every election cycle since 2010.
Ryan, a popular national figure since being the 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee, is on the break neck fundraising swing through 17 states to ensure that Republicans hold their House majority. Sabato is now forecasting that Democrats will gain 10-15 seats which is fewer than the 30 they need to control the House - but Republicans aren’t taking any chances.
Ryan has already appeared at Hurd fundraiser in Washington in late September, as well as one in San Antonio in March.
Hurd also got some national support in September from Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who was a presidential candidate but has famously failed to support GOP nominee Donald Trump. Hurd has also not endorsed Trump.
Ryan will make several additional stops while he is in Texas which have not been announced. He is raising funds for Team Ryan, as his federal joint fund raising committee is known.
Maria Recio: 202-383-6103, @maria_e_recio
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