'I’m not going to support Donald Trump': Will Hurd won’t lie to win the 2024 GOP nomination

The newest 2024 Republican candidate and former Texas lawmaker, Will Hurd, has made it clear that he would not support former President Donald Trump as the GOP nominee, CNN reports.

Looking towards the first Republican primary debate next month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, each GOP candidate must meet "all the requirements" to participate, according to CNN — and one of those requirements is backing the chosen nominee.

Politico reports:

A stage that was once expected to be as sprawling as it was in the 2016 GOP primary could end up a slimmed-down affair, with the longshots not qualifying and the frontrunner following through on his threats to boycott. In all, the events could draw far fewer viewers than in years past — and take on far less significance in altering the outcome of the campaign.

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Noting former Trump is "downplaying the idea that he will even show up at all," Politico notes he "is not the only candidate whose appearance on the debate stage is either unlikely or uncertain," adding, "Other candidates have said they will not sign the RNC's loyalty pledge to support the eventual nominee, a prerequisite set by the committee to participate in the debate."

According to CNN, Hurd previously told the news outlet, he "won't be signing any kind of pledges," and he doesn't "think parties should be trying to rig who should be on a debate stage."

The former Texas congressman told CNN's Dana Bash Sunday, "I can't lie to get access to a microphone," adding, "I'm not going to support Donald Trump. I recognize the impact that has on my ability to get access to the debate stage, but I can't lie.".

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CNN's full report is available at this link. Politico's report is here.