DSCC Plans Seven-Figure Coordinated Investment in Texas Following New Poll Showing MJ Hegar In Dead Heat Against Vulnerable Incumbent John Cornyn

Cornyn Well Under 50% Support, Voters Move to Veteran MJ Hegar When They Hear Her Story & She Takes “Definitive Lead” When They Learn More About Senator Cornyn’s Record

Read the Memo That Shows Hegar on Cornyn’s Heels

As reported first by POLITICO today, the DSCC will make a seven-figure coordinated investment for the general election in Texas, where decorated combat veteran MJ Hegar is in a dead heat with vulnerable Senator John Cornyn. The historic investment in Texas is a first for the DSCC and follows new internal polling data that confirms the race is highly competitive, with MJ down just one point to the three-term incumbent, who is well under 50% support and getting mixed reviews from voters. The survey shows positive movement toward MJ when voters hear more about her story, and she takes a “definitive lead” when they also learn about Senator Cornyn’s failed record and close ties to special interests in Washington. The DSCC’s coordinated investment will include spending on TV advertising, polling, field organizing and data support, and other resources.

Read the polling memo from Global Strategy Group and Latino Decisions here.

The news comes on the same day as another public poll found a tightening Texas Senate race “turning into a nail-biter,” with “Cornyn’s lead slipping.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

POLITICO: Senate Democrats wade into pricey Texas race

The DSCC is making a coordinated investment with the party’s nominee, MJ Hegar.

By James Arkin

August 4, 2020

Key Points:

• Senate Democrats’ official campaign committee is making its first big investment in Texas for the general election to boost Democrat MJ Hegar in her bid against Republican Sen. John Cornyn.

• The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is planning a seven-figure investment in Texas through coordinated campaign funds, which is intended for a combination of TV ads, polling and field organizing and data resources, according to details shared first with POLITICO. This marks the Senate committee’s first significant investment in Texas for this fall…

• The new investment comes after the committee commissioned an internal poll showing a tight race between Cornyn and Hegar. The survey, conducted late last month, showed Cornyn with a slim lead over Hegar, 43 percent to 42 percent, with 15 percent of voters undecided. The poll was conducted by Global Strategy Group and Latino Decisions.

• Democrats have grown optimistic about Texas this cycle, with most public polling showing Joe Biden competitive against President Trump and a handful of critical House battleground races taking place in the state. Still, the Senate race has not emerged as a top-tier battleground.

• “This race is a dead heat, and our increased investment reflects how MJ’s campaign and the increasingly competitive climate has put another offensive opportunity on the map,” Scott Fairchild, the DSCC executive director, said in a statement.

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