HOUSTON - A new political commercial featuring Jim McIngvale, or Mattress Mack, was shot inside his furniture store. But he’s selling Congressman John Culberson.
“John Culberson stood up for Texas,” McIngvale says in the ad.
The ad started running last Friday amid one of the state’s tightest races. District 7 stretches from Jersey Village to parts of West Houston and Katy, then down to Bellaire and West University.
“I’d say it’s as close as it could be,” said KHOU political analyst Bob Stein. “The best polling I’ve seen puts it at about 3 percent, within the margin of error.”
Stein believes the endorsement probably won’t make a big difference. But it is a good indicator of the campaign Culberson is running in order to keep his longtime seat in Congress.
“Don’t talk about issues that are national,” Stein said. “Don’t talk about Kavanaugh, Trump or the Republican party. Talk about local issues, like you’re running for city council.”
Democratic challenger Lizzie Pannill Fletcher would have welcomed Mattress Mack’s endorsement. But she said it won’t stop her momentum in a district that Hillary Clinton won over Donald Trump two years ago.
“Who doesn’t love Mattress Mack?” Fletcher said. “But I think the biggest difference in Mattress Mack and John Culberson is that Mattress Mack delivers the same day, and John Culberson hasn’t delivered in 18 years.”
A Culberson campaign spokesperson said the Mattress Mack ad reflects two men who have both worked hard in the wake of Houston’s worst flood.
“I think that he’s a great voice for the people of Houston, and people look up to him in our city,” said Catherine Kelly. “And they respect his endorsement and it will be a good thing for our campaign.”
Both campaigns feel confident heading into the final weeks of this contentious race which has featured highly produced ads from the candidates and outside interest groups.
“What we’ve seen is that Washington’s not working for many of us,” Fletcher said. “And it’s time we send someone to Congress who will work for this community.”
“This is one of the closest campaigns he’s had to run,” said Kelly of Culberson. “But we’re very optimistic from what we’re seeing on the ground.”
Congressman Culberson was not available for an interview himself. Early voting in this race and others begins Oct. 22. Election Day is Nov. 6.