Texans BEWARE of this PAC: Lone Star Rising PAC

[MagickMuffin]

Last edited Tue Feb 17, 2026, 12:37 PM - Edit history (1)

Steven Martin acting as treasurer for several Republican leadership PACs such as the Lone Star Leadership PAC and First In Texas PAC, and Steven L. Martin, a Physician Assistant (PA-C) specializing in internal medicine.


II received a mailer today. The front "Open to find out which Texas Democrat can fight for us in the Senate.

Once opened this is what you'll see, attacks on Jasmine Crocket and praising James Talarico.

I wonder how many people will be duped by this smear campaign?

I knew to do some simple research, however, how many other people will do the same.

[TBF]

1. Unfortunately there are a lot of shenanigans around this Senate race -

and I know those PACS are affiliated with Republicans. There have been smears against Talarico also (they are trying to paint him as a racist).

Republicans are freaking out because they know Talarico could potentially flip Texas. Cornyn is already running ads against him, and we haven't even gotten through the primary yet. That's how scared they are.

Early voting begins today in TX, I always wait a few days for the lines to subside. Make sure you vote if you haven't already!!

[MagickMuffin]

3. You can bet I'll be voting

I'll have to check and see if my community even has early voting at our polling stations.

[TBF]

6. here is a link

https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/where.html

[MagickMuffin]

9. Thx, I know where my precinct is. I was the Precinct Chair until 2016

That election ruined my participating any longer. magas aren't very informed about the voting process.

[Rstrstx]

10. I think the anti-Talarico ads by Cornyn are as much a subtle dig at Ken Paxton

By portraying Talarico as a liberal so-called “Christian” it’s a back door way of hinting that Ken Paxton is not even trying to be religious, without actually having to say that Ken Paxton is not religious. He’s making arguments that Paxton wouldn’t be able to make as effectively in a general. It also paints the upcoming race in November as inevitable, though both candidates have tough primaries to get through first.

[TBF]

11. Thank you -

I appreciate the in-depth analysis!

I was looking at polling and it appears Crockett and Paxton are the picks right now ... so we'll see what happens. Trump may have just inadvertently helped Talarico a lot w/that Colbert segment.

[Lithos]

2. I have my own issues with Jasmine Crockett

Her funding seems to be more from big donors than anything else. She has a large supply of money from Crypto, Tech, and Defense, including Andreesen, the Winklevosses, and others who have significant ties to Trump. Even Lloyd Doggett has expressed concern that she is carrying a ton of lobbying interest as a progressive standard-bearer.

[MagickMuffin]

4. I didn't know about her fundraising donors

Especially the crytobros. They tend to be pedophiles. Thiel & Musk come to mind. They loved them some Epsstein.

[hamsterjill]

12. I agree.

I like Crockett. Let me be clear on that. But I wasn't happy that she entered the race because Talarico had already filed. I've said many times that I think she has a bright political future ahead of her; just not THIS race.

I don't make the rules in Texas, but I've lived here with these "rules" all my life, and I know them. There is no way in hell that Crockett stands a chance in the general election. I don't like that. I don't think that's right and I certainly do not condone that. But that is fact in Texas at the current time. Crockett needs to draw Republican voters, and she's not going to do that with her big hair, her accent, her Christmas ornament earrings, and her long nails. Did I not just describe a Dallas socialite? Maybe so. But for a politician, voters make fun of her. I'm not suggesting that she needs to change who she is. I'm just stating facts. Again, I don't make the rules, but I know how people think around here.

If she were to win the primary by some miracle, I will be her most ardent supporter. But I think Talarico has a better shot in the general, so I'll be voting for him for that reason in the primary.

I was proud of both of them for keeping their campaigns focused and clean. But in the past couple of weeks, I've seen things from Crockett's campaign that have made me uncomfortable. I think Colin Allred going after Talarico was a mistake and I think it was to promote Crockett over Talarico. I didn't really like Crockett's interview after the Colbert/Talarico/CBS debacle. She was, in my opinion, trying to sound neutral, but coming across that she felt like Colbert and Talarico had made a big deal out of nothing. Again, my opinion.

I have concerns about her funding as you have explained. Talarico has been open and has not taken PAC money that I understand. He can give the religious crap back to the Christian Nationalists faster than they can spit it out. I think that is a positive for him.

So, we will see how this transpires.

[Torchlight]

5. Attacking candidate A at the expense of supporting candidate B is a tell

If someone is criticizing their opposition candidate at the expense of supporting their own, I feel pretty safe in dismissing them from any real consideration.

[TBF]

7. During primaries it happens -

I can tell you I've seen a lot already in the Talarico vs. Crockett primary

- anyone can look up Crockett's PAC donations
- there are also republican PACs already employing shenanigans
- I've seen some accusing Talarico of being racist
- I've seen some accusing Crockett of being pro-genocide

I mean ... crazy things. Either Crockett or Talarico would be so much better than Cornyn (or g-d help us Paxton, who is leading in the polls on the other side).

Just vote for one of them - Crockett or Talarico - and then we'll move on to the general and do our best.

[Lithos]

8. This is Texas Politics

The Lone Star Rising PAC is an official super-PAC of the Texas Democratic Party. The major funders include Simone Coxe (a long-time Democratic funder), Don Henley (yes, the Eagles guy has long given to Democratic causes), and a few other Texas based Democratic sources. Steven Martin is a professional campaign specialist, which means he has worked for items on both sides. It's a non-issue he's involved. Being a Super-PAC also means it and the Talarico campaign are barred from communicating with each other.

While I do not have the mailer, the Houston Chronicle has stated the message is simply that Crockett would be easier to beat by Cornyn in the General than Talarico. To be honest, I agree. The ability to beat Cornyn is not going to be found just in Dallas or Houston, but in South Texas. That is not where Crockett has any strength. Talarico does have strong support there. I also worry that Crockett's mostly Cyber/Tech/Defense funding will dry up post primary given they are more aligned with Cornyn.

L-