Texas Tea Party group blasts Stockman

A coalition of Texas Tea Party leaders are blasting Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas) for the campaign he’s run against Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and are throwing their weight behind another candidate. 

Their defection is the latest sign of Stockman’s struggles in this Tuesday’s GOP primary, with his lackluster campaign laughed off by the establishment and even panned by the quixotic congressman’s conservative base. 

{mosads}”As your campaign rolled into 2014, Texans have witnessed what might be the laziest statewide campaign to date,” a group of Tea Party activists led by Grassroots America Executive Director JoAnn Fleming wrote Stockman in an open letter first obtained by the Dallas Morning News.

“Based on your response to media inquiries, you apparently believe you don’t have to answer to anybody,” the activists continue. “We disavow your lack of accessibility to the people of Texas during this campaign and these unethical activities. Whether these tactics are actually carried out by you, your associates, or a group of supporters — these are not the hallmarks of a statesman. We are looking for a bold, courageous leader with integrity — a leader who will make himself available to the people. Your actions have disqualified you.”

The activists concluded the letter by endorsing Dwayne Stovall (R), another candidate running against Cornyn. 

Stockman’s last-minute entry into the race against Cornyn caught activists by surprise, and he’s done little campaigning against the longtime senator since he jumped into the race in December and has ignored most media requests. Early voting is already open in the race, which Cornyn is expected to easily win.