CD-23 Challenger Will Hurd Wins Endorsement of Bob Gates

Former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Robert Gates has endorsed Will Hurd, the Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, in the hotly contested Congressional District 23 race.

In the statement announcing the endorsement, it was noted that this is Gates' "first and only endorsement of the cycle."

"Will [has served] our country on the front lines of the War on Terror, he knows the cost of freedom, and you can count on him to take care of our veterans here at home," Gates said in the statement.

Hurd is a former CIA officer.

CD-23 is considered the only swing congressional district in the state and has attracted big campaign spending as a result. The two candidates have spent nearly $3.5 million this election cycle, while almost $5.3 million has been spent by outside groups on the race.