National Democrats target 5 Texas GOP congressmen as 2020 cycle begins

By Patrick Svitek, Texas Tribune


National Democrats have five Texas Republican congressmen in their crosshairs as they begin the 2020 election cycle looking to build on their gains here in November.

As part of its first digital ad campaign of the cycle, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul of Austin, Chip Roy of Austin, Pete Olson of Sugar Land, Kenny Marchant of Coppell and John Carter of Round Rock. They are among 25 GOP House members across the country included in the ad offensive, which the DCCC announced Friday.

The ads criticize the lawmakers for voting against recent Democratic-backed legislation to end the government shutdown without funding for a border wall — a demand by President Donald Trump that prompted the closure. The ads, which come on the day that federal workers will miss their second paycheck under the shutdown, feature an image of a helicopter rescue mission over the water, accompanied by text reading, "The Coast Guard, Border Patrol, & [Transportation Security Administration] just missed another paycheck thanks to" the targeted member of Congress.

The DCCC said the ads "will be geo-targeted and featured on Facebook for swing voters," backed by a "significant" buy.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/01/25/national-democrats-target-5-texas-republican-congressmen-2020-cycle-/