An attack ad has been released in the race for this Tarrant County seat in Congress
Attack ad season has begun in the race for Congress District 24 in Tarrant, Dallas and Denton counties.
Republican Beth Van Duyne has released an advertisement accusing Democratic opponent Candace Valenzuela of working to defund the police. The 28-second ad, which prominently features Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn and other deputies and constables, is running on local broadcast and cable television.
The ad makes reference to the July 2016 shooting of five police officers in downtown Dallas by a sniper. An unflattering picture of Valenzuela is briefly shown, as are images of protesters breaking into an unidentified building and looting.
Van Duyne appears on screen and says, “Unfortunately, my opponent, Candace Valenzuela, sides with radicals to defund police and end cash bail, releasing criminals back on the streets.”
Then, Van Duyne is shown standing with seven law enforcement officers, all in uniform.
“I’m Beth Van Duyne,” she continues. “I’ll never defund the police, or side with criminals.”
Then Waybourn says, “And that’s why we stand with Beth Van Duyne.”
Valenzuela couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.
In a previous interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Valenzuela stated steadfastly that she was not in favor of defunding the police, a phrase used by protesters who want cities to withhold funding for police departments until officers are better trained to reduce incidents of violence against Black residents and other minorities.
“I support the right of Americans to peacefully protest under the First Amendment,” Valenzuela said in a questionnaire for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Voters Guide, which will be published in the coming weeks. “However, there is absolutely no place for violence in our country. We need leaders who will lower the temperature and bring us together, not pour gasoline on the divisions in our country.”
District 24 includes much of Northeast Tarrant County as well as Dallas and Denton counties. It is one of many state and federal elected offices that used to be solidly Republican but are now considered a place for possible victories by Democrats.
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 12:21 PM.
