News: During a private donor call, a top supporter of Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s (D-Texas) Senate run said the campaign is planning to start attacking state Rep. James Talarico on the air.
Talarico and Crockett are running in a competitive Democratic primary that’s pitting two rising stars with a penchant for viral moments against each other. To date, Talarico’s campaign has dominated the airwaves and a recent public poll found him up nine points.
During the Jan. 22 Zoom call, Crockett supporter Jason Lee — speaking alongside campaign pollster Terrance Woodbury and deputy campaign manager Karrol Rimal — said the campaign is “going to begin in earnest a very robust communication strategy.”
“On the paid communication side, [Crockett is] going to have a robust program with some very strong ads that take advantage of the positive messaging, but also allow her to present some information to the electorate — some contrast information about her record and her opponent’s record,” Lee said.
Here’s more from Lee during the call:
“And because her opponent is somewhat less well-known, people do need to hear certain information so they can make an informed decision … The other candidate needs to go through the same vetting.”
Lee said the spending will be on broadcast television, cable television, digital social media and connected TV. Lee added YouTube ads will be a particular focus of the strategy, given “it’s where a lot of Latino voters are.”
Watch the exchange here.
When contacted about the briefing, Lee told us he has “no contractual relationship with the campaign.”
“I’m a supporter, a volunteer. I obviously talk to the congresswoman and I’ve been a part of briefings and conversations as a supporter,” Lee said.
Lee, the son of late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), was recently involved in controversy while advising Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. The Chicago inspector general recommended that Johnson fire Lee last October after Lee refused to participate in an IG probe.
Billionaire megadonor Karla Jurvetson was also present on the Crockett Zoom call, per video of the briefing.
Crockett and Talarico debated over the weekend with just over a month to go until Texas’ March 3 primary date. The Democrats are seeking to flip the Lone Star State blue and may benefit from a chaotic GOP primary that is likely heading to a runoff.
While both candidates face steep odds of winning the general election, some Democrats have raised concerns that Crockett’s image as a partisan fighter may hurt her electability. Crockett has brushed off those attacks.
Talarico hasn’t made a commitment to avoid going negative on Crockett. But during Saturday’s debate, Talarico said the two candidates “are all focused on the same goal, which is winning in November and stopping a Sen. Ken Paxton.”
Talarico’s TV ads so far have been positive, biographical spots.
