CORPUS CHRISTI—Just weeks after Republicans gathered for their own state convention, Texas Democrats convened in Corpus Christi on Friday for their biennial convention.
But Republicans ensured they maintained a visible presence throughout the city.
While Gov. Greg Abbott was not at the convention itself—he is scheduled to speak Friday evening at the Kleberg County Republican Party’s Lincoln Reagan Dinner in nearby Kingsville—his campaign staged a series of events aimed at drawing contrasts with Democrats and their statewide ticket.
Billboards purchased by Abbott’s campaign lined major routes into Corpus Christi criticizing what Republicans describe as Democrats’ “radical agenda.” A mobile video truck circulated outside the convention playing clips of Democrat candidates, including U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, highlighting past comments on issues ranging from religion to veganism.
Friday morning, Abbott’s campaign distributed breakfast tacos with names including the “Veggie Talarico,” “Open Border Brisket,” and “Democrat Promises,” the latter consisting of an empty tortilla.
Outside the convention center, a longhorn wearing a “Don’t Buy the Bull” banner drew attention—and mixed reactions—from convention attendees.
At a nearby “Keep Texas Red” press conference organized by Abbott’s campaign, several Republican leaders argued Democrats have moved too far left while emphasizing Republican unity heading into November.
State Rep. A.J. Louderback of Victoria said Republicans understand “what’s at stake” in this year’s election.
“I think Republicans are engaged. I think they’re committed,” Louderback told Texas Scorecard. “This is Texas. This is a conservative state built with rural values, and those aren’t the values of the Democratic Party.”
Louderback, a former Goliad County Sheriff who focused his remarks on public safety, criticized Democrats over border security.
“I never have quite understood the lawlessness that’s going on,” he said. “I have no explanation to explain why we would open the border for four years and cause the chaos that we did.”
State Rep. Katrina Pierson of Rockwall said she believes Republicans are more unified today than at any point during her time in Texas politics.
“We had a tumultuous primary at the top of the ticket, and everybody is coming along quite well,” Pierson said. “It’s not the case on the Democrat side.”
Asked for a message to Democrats attending the convention, Pierson replied that they needed “a reality check.”
“They need to touch grass, go talk to people and find out what really is important to them,” she said. “Their policies are just out of touch with Texans and mainstream Americans as a whole.”
State Rep. Todd Hunter, whose district includes Corpus Christi, also pointed to Republican unity, saying conservative policies at the federal, state, and local levels are helping bring Republicans together.
“My message is to Republicans: We vote, we’re going to win, and we’re going to win on our policies,” Hunter said.
Hunter also defended the Legislature’s congressional redistricting map approved last year, saying he has no regrets supporting it.
“Absolutely not,” Hunter said. “The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with the redistricting, so we followed the process. It was the correct process. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed it. We followed the law, and it was the right thing to do.”
State Rep. J.M. Lozano of Kingsville said Republicans wanted to hold their event near the Democrat convention to highlight policy differences.
“It’s just to paint a contrast as close to their convention as possible,” Lozano said. “For me personally, just to point out the strange coincidence that they’re actually in a city named Body of Christ, Corpus Christi, and they have atheists literally running that convention, putting planks into their platform to take religion out of schools, for example, prayer.”
Lozano also criticized Talarico’s past comments on religion, arguing they do not resonate with South Texas voters.
“I’ve seen him literally flip on an issue from one room to the next, and he cannot be trusted,” Lozano said. “Corpus Christi literally means body of Christ. Yet just down the street, the Democratic convention includes an atheist and a secular caucus.”
Speaking directly to Democrats gathered for the convention, Lozano said he intended to challenge what he described as misleading campaign messaging.
“Do not lie to my constituents,” Lozano said. “Every time he says a lie, I’m going to point out exactly what he said.”
The Texas Democrat Convention continues through Saturday and features speeches from the party’s statewide ticket, including U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, along with national Democrats such as Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Cory Booker of New Jersey.
