President Donald Trump has rescinded his endorsement of Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) and announced he will instead back primary challenger Hope Scheppelman following Hurd’s vote against aspects of the administration’s tariff policy.
Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post Saturday, sharply criticizing Hurd for opposing elements of his trade agenda.
“Based on a lack of support, in particular for the unbelievably successful TARIFFS imposed on Foreign Countries and Companies… I am hereby WITHDRAWING my Endorsement,” Trump wrote. He accused Hurd of prioritizing foreign interests over American economic policy and referred to him as a “RINO.”
Hurd, a first-term congressman representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, was among six House Republicans who voted in favor of H.J.Res. 72, a resolution aimed at limiting the president’s emergency tariff authority. He also opposed tariffs targeting Canada.
The district covers a broad swath of western and southern Colorado, including Grand Junction and multiple rural and energy-producing regions where trade policy plays a significant role in local economic debates.
Trump had previously endorsed Hurd in October, calling him an “incredible representative.” Hurd assumed office in January after winning the 2024 election to succeed Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), who now represents Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.
The endorsement reversal marks a rare move by Trump, who does not frequently withdraw public backing from sitting Republican lawmakers.
In contrast, Trump offered what he described as his “Complete and Total Endorsement” to Scheppelman, a Navy veteran and former vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party.
Scheppelman launched her primary challenge last June and has positioned herself as a staunch supporter of the president’s trade and economic policies.
The endorsement fight unfolds against the backdrop of escalating tariff battles in Washington.
Just one day before Trump withdrew his support for Hurd, the Supreme Court of the U.S. struck down portions of the president’s tariff authority under an emergency statute, per Trending Politics.
The administration quickly responded by invoking a separate law to reimpose tariffs, with Trump subsequently raising the global tariff rate by 5 percentage points, bringing it to 15%.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration’s broader trade strategy remains intact despite the court’s ruling.
The Republican primary in Colorado’s 3rd District is scheduled for June 30, 2026. While the district has leaned Republican in recent cycles, it has shown competitiveness in past elections.
Trump’s decision to shift endorsements underscores the president’s continued influence within the GOP and signals that support for his tariff agenda may become a defining issue in upcoming Republican primaries.
With the race now featuring a clear split between an incumbent who broke with the administration and a challenger aligned closely with Trump, trade policy could play a central role in determining the district’s political future.
