Overview
- Republican counterprogramming on Friday used theatrical stunts and ads including two longhorns, a “Talarico’s Tacos” food truck, mobile billboards and a new RadicalTexas website to press cultural attacks on Democratic leaders.
- Ken Paxton’s campaign ran a local ad in Corpus Christi that highlighted Talarico’s past votes and remarks on transgender issues, taxes and energy to cast him as out of step with Texas voters.
- James Talarico responded on the convention stage with a populist economic pitch that called out billionaire influence, promised to fight corruption and rolled out a multimillion-dollar ad focused on rising costs for families.
- Talarico also met with Black Democratic leaders at the convention to rebuild support lost in the primary while both parties accelerate national fundraising and targeted ad buys as polls show a close race.
- How messaging and turnout efforts play out over the summer will matter most for November because independent voters are still undecided, Paxton must mend GOP primary rifts and Democratic gains could hinge on winning back key Black constituencies.