“You Get This”: Abbott Spends $3.4 Million Using Jasmine Crockett as GOP “Boogeyman”

AUSTIN — In a calculated move to boost Republican primary turnout, Governor Greg Abbott has poured $3.4 million into a high-octane ad campaign featuring Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. The ads, which began saturating Texas airwaves on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, do not target a Republican rival, but instead use Crockett’s “edgy” political style to warn GOP voters of what a “Blue Texas” would look like.

The strategy, confirmed by Abbott’s top political strategist Dave Carney, aims to capitalize on Crockett’s polarizing national profile to ensure Republican voters don’t stay home during the early voting window.

The Strategy: Elevating a “Polarizing” Opponent

Political analysts suggest Abbott’s move serves two purposes: galvanizing the Republican base and subtly “meddling” in the Democratic primary to favor the candidate the GOP believes is easier to defeat in November.

• The “Radical Left” Ad: One ad features images of Crockett alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Carney summarized the message as: “You vote for us Republicans, or you get this: AOC and Mamdani and Crockett.”
• The “Vulnerability” Calculation: Carney stated that while both Democratic frontrunners—Crockett and James Talarico—have similar voting records, Crockett’s outspoken nature and viral confrontations make her a more “vulnerable” general election target.
• Turnout Tactics: By framing the election as a battle against “the new radical left,” Abbott is looking to counter the record-breaking Democratic early voting turnout reported across the state this week.

Crockett’s Response: “They Really Are Scared”

Congresswoman Crockett, currently leading Talarico by roughly 8 to 10 points in recent polling, embraced the attention during a campaign stop in Houston.

“They really are scared. This is why the governor is spending over a million dollars a week right now against me. They know I’m the only one who can go toe-to-toe with them.” — Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Feb 20, 2026

Crockett has leaned into her “Texas Tough” branding, using the Governor’s attacks to bolster her own fundraising. Her campaign argued that Abbott’s ads actually validate her status as the most formidable challenger to the Republican establishment.

The “AI” Factor in the 2026 Race

The ad war has been further complicated by the use of artificial intelligence, as Texas currently has no laws requiring disclosures for AI-generated political content.

1. Paxton’s “Dance” Ad: In mid-January, Ken Paxton shared an AI-generated video of Sen. John Cornyn “dancing” with Crockett to attack Cornyn for past instances of bipartisanship.
2. Crockett’s “Baby Trump” Ad: Crockett herself used AI in December 2025, posting a video of herself as a baby accusing a “Baby Trump” of rigging Texas elections.
3. Abbott’s “Radical” Montage: While Abbott’s latest $3.4 million buy uses real footage of Crockett speaking about immigration, it utilizes high-energy digital manipulation to emphasize her most provocative quotes.

A Preview of November?

Republican consultant Vinny Minchillo noted that Abbott’s spending is a “clear preview” of the general election. By spending millions before the primary is even decided, the Governor is effectively defining the Democratic brand for millions of moderate and conservative voters who may not be paying attention to the nuances of the Crockett-Talarico primary.