A new report in the Houston Chronicle reveals that one of Will Hurd’s ‘supporters’ in his first TV ad of the general election is actually his paid spokeswoman and a national political operative.
From the report:
“ […] One of the Hurd backers depicted in the ad is the campaign’s new official spokeswoman, Valerie Chicola, a former Republican National Committee staffer.”
“After pushing a dangerous budget plan that indiscriminately slashes support for veterans and education in order to protect the ultra-wealthy, it’s no surprise that Will Hurd couldn’t find real Texans to stand alongside him in his first TV ad,” said David Bergstein of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “The fact that Hurd had to force his out-of-state, paid spokeswoman and political operative to pose as his ‘supporter’ in his ad makes it perfectly clear just how little enthusiasm Hurd has in the district — and how out-of-touch Hurd’s dangerous budget ideas are with West Texas’ values.”
BACKGROUND:
Hurd Endorsed “Cuts of 16 Percent Across the Board” to the Federal Budget. “Hurd said that Congress needs to cap federal spending to ‘a percentage of GDP— 18% is a good number’ because that was the number when the budget was last balanced. ‘That would translate to cuts of 16% across the board.’” [Sara for America, 1/17/14]
Will Hurd Wants to “Slash Benefits For Texas Veterans.” “If Hurd’s budget plan were passed, drastic cuts would be made to veterans’ services. Hurd’s plan slashes the budget indiscriminately, without regard for what is being used to help those who have served our country. The budget would cut funding for VA hospitals in the district, and exacerbate the already-existing problems veterans face because of improperly funded VA offices. CD-23 is home to over 46,000 veterans who would be hurt by Will Hurd’s plan.” [Burnt Orange Report, 7/10/14]
“Will Hurd’s Budget Plan Would Force Massive Medicare Cuts.” “It turns out that Hurd’s proposed across-the-board, indiscriminate 16% budget cuts would put yet another program at risk–Medicare. According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a budget plan like Hurd’s would ‘inevitably force enormous cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, and possibly Social Security.’” [Burnt Orange Report, 8/1/14]
Nearly Identical Plan Would Result in “Huge Cuts” to Education. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the CAP Act, a proposal to limit federal spending to no more than 20.6 percent of GDP – a higher spending cap than Hurd suggested – would result in “huge cuts to the social safety net for seniors, children, and the disabled, as well as to public investments such as education and infrastructure.” [CBPP, 4/15/11]