Outside political groups have ignited negative ad wars in the Texas Senate race.
A pro–James Talarico group is attacking Jasmine Crockett as too weak to win statewide, while two Republican super PACs are targeting Wesley Hunt for not being conservative enough.
Democratic clash: Lone Star Rising, an independent group, aired ads last week that say Crockett, a U.S. House member from Dallas, is “backed by Republicans” because she’d be easier for the GOP to defeat in November.
“If she wins, we lose,” says the narrator of the ad, which uses clips from media commentators who say Crockett would struggle in the general election against Republican Sen. John Cornyn.
Breaking News
Hard turn: In January, Talarico, a state representative from Austin, said Crockett seemed poised to go negative and urged Democrats not to turn on each other.
Talarico’s campaign said it wasn’t involved in the Lone Star Rising spot, noting federal law prohibits coordination between campaigns and super PACs.
Crockett counters: Crockett’s team labeled the ad “hypocrisy on par with the Republican playbook,” saying voters “recognize when games are being played.”
Targeting Hunt: In the GOP Senate primary, Conservatives for Texas PAC and Lone Star Liberty PAC, which supports Attorney General Ken Paxton, have begun running ads slamming Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston.
Republican Senate candidate Wesley Hunt speaks at the Dallas County Republican Party offices, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Dallas. Hunt is a U.S. representative from Houston.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
The Conservatives for Texas spot accuses Hunt of breaking with President Donald Trump and siding with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
It said “he’s a backstabbing RINO Texas conservatives can’t trust,” using an acronym for the insult “Republican in name only.”
Hunt responds: The congressman dismissed the ad blitz, saying it showed opponents were scared he’s rising in the March 3 primary.
“That’s why they’re attacking, and that’s why we’re going to win,” he said.