With just five days until the primary runoff election, the race for U.S. House District 30 is getting increasingly heated.
District 30 is the seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas) for three decades. As the runoff date draws near, the Congresswoman is talking about the campaigns waged by those hoping to replace her.
“We have not had a campaign that had this much deception and lies in District 30 since its origin,” said Johnson at a news conference Thursday.
Johnson endorsed State Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Dallas) and joined clergy members to rally for her support.
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The group said Crockett's opponent, Jane Hope Hamilton, has distorted her record. They're particularly upset over a claim Crockett skipped out on a vote and joined Democrats who left Austin and traveled to Washington, D.C. in protest.
Some Democrats returned to vote on the bill. Hamilton said those who returned fought to make the bill better.
“Overwhelmingly Democrats were there on the House floor making sure that their voters and their constituents were being heard in one of the greatest negotiations and fights that we have seen in Texas history when we are talking about voter suppression,” Hamilton said.
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Crockett did not attend Thursday's news conference, but during a recent appearance on NBC 5's Lone Star Politics, she talked about the heated campaign.
“Sadly enough my opponent does not want to run on whatever her qualifications may be for this seat. I am focused on the issue,” said Crockett earlier this month.
Hamilton said Crockett has inflated her record and has not been honest during the campaign.
“She has chosen to say no to public debates,” Hamilton said, adding Crockett has avoided opportunities to debate issues face to face.
“Jasmine Crockett has had multiple occasions and opportunities to sit alongside me on a stage, in a newsroom and debate the facts, and she has denied every single one of them,” Hamilton said.
There were debates and forums in the primary, but none in the runoff.
Early voting for this race runs through Friday, and the runoff election is Tuesday.
On the Republican side, James Harris and James Rogers are in a runoff.
