A Senate race in Texas took a negative turn this week when Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (R) released a statewide television ad attacking his opponent, attorney Ted Cruz.
The ad criticizes Cruz for representing Shandong Linglong Rubber Co. in its appeal of a $26 million judgment awarded to American inventor Jordan Fishman. Fishman sued Shandong Linglong in federal court for allegedly stealing blueprints for a tire he had developed. In 2010 he won the lawsuit, but the company appealed the ruling and the case is currently pending. As an attorney for the national firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Cruz has represented other corporate clients in the past.
In addition to the television ad, Dewhurst’s campaign has dedicated an entire website to bashing the former state solicitor general and Tea Party favorite, entitled "The Real Ted Cruz." The site refers to Cruz as "a trial lawyer helping a Chinese conglomerate kill American jobs."
Dewhurst, who was endorsed by former Republican presidential candidate Gov. Rick Perry (R-Texas), is a heavy favorite to win the four-man race. Other candidates running for the Senate seat are former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and former NFL football player Craig James.
This is the first negative ad to be released by either candidate during the race and will be aired on both national and cable outlets.
10 more election stories from beyond the presidential field:
Paul Ryan Building Huge Money Pot For Re-Election [Sheboygan Press]
California Watchdog Group Wants Bloggers To Divulge Payments From Political Campaigns [Bellingham Herald]
Indiana Election Chiefs Look Into Congressional Hopeful David McIntosh's Residency [Courier-Journal]
Famed Fenway Park Becomes Hot Prop Of Political Campaigns [Reuters]
Connecticut Republican U.S. Senate Candidates Face Off [Associated Press]
Money Is Flowing Into Missouri Race For U.S. Senate [STL Today]
In One State House Race, One Campaign Has A Familiar Ring To It [Philadelphia Daily News]
Three U.S. Senate Front-Runners Aim For 60 Percent At GOP Convention [Standard-Examiner]
Elizabeth Warren And Former Sen. Russ Feingold Unite To Push Campaign Finance Legislation [Mass Live]
Hall Calls For Hiring Of Election Investigator [Anchorage Daily News]