Ortiz’s last race against Hurd ended up close enough to warrant a recount, but the Hurd — a three-term incumbent — managed to keep his seat in one of the costliest congressional elections that campaign cycle.
“Last year I came up a little bit short in my run for Congress — 926 votes,” Ortiz said in a Twitter statement released Tuesday. “But I’ve never been one to back down, because the promise of our country is worth fighting for. It’s why I joined the military and deployed to Iraq, it’s why I served in President Obama’s administration, and it’s why I’ve dedicated my life to public service.”
Ortiz, a former air force intelligence officer, served as director for investment at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative under President Obama.
Hurd represents Texas’ 23rd district, which includes part of San Antonio and the longest stretch of U.S.-Mexico border of any congressional territory. Before Hurd came into office, the district had frequently flipped between GOP and Democratic control.
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This article appears in May 8-21, 2019.
