Hurd splits with top political aide

Hurd splits with top political aide weeks before election

The Texas Republican is running for reelection in a district that Hillary Clinton carried in 2016.

By ALEX ISENSTADT

Texas Rep. Will Hurd, one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents in the country, has abruptly parted ways with his top political adviser just weeks before the midterm election.

Hurd has split with Josh Robinson, who for years had served as the congressman’s top strategist.

Robinson confirmed his departure in an email, saying that his Beltway-based political consulting firm, RedPrint Strategy, was no longer working for Hurd. Robinson declined requests to explain the reason for his exit.

“RedPrint is honored to have worked with Congressman Hurd in helping him win his first race and hard fought reelection. RedPrint is proud to have put Congressman Hurd in the position he is currently in which is headed for another victory. His team has made a decision to move in a different direction and I wish him the best of success.”

Robinson is a longtime party operative and formerly served in top positions at the Republican Governors Association and National Republican Congressional Committee. He helped steer Hurd's campaigns to victory in 2014 and 2016 in a swing, heavily Hispanic West Texas district that has long flipped between Republicans and Democrats. Hillary Clinton carried the seat in 2016, but Hurd narrowly defeated Democrat Pete Gallego to win reelection to a second term.

This year, Hurd is facing a challenge from Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones, an Iraq War veteran and former Obama administration official.

Neither Hurd nor a spokesman responded to requests for comment.