COVID absent from campaign messaging in Texas

Texans are nonetheless testing optimistic for the coronavirus, however candidates up and down the poll are staying far-off from speaking about masks, vaccines and different pandemic subjects that have been a staple of campaigning over the past two years.

The large image: Dwelling on COVID might appear out of contact with an voters that’s now extra involved concerning the rising value of groceries than about masks carrying.

Between the strains: In Austin, signage requesting masks in companies has disappeared, occasions are at full capability and there are few debates surrounding vaccines and testing within the office.

• That shift can also be clear in marketing campaign messaging.

Flashback: Forward of the 2020 election, within the throes of the pandemic, marketing campaign adverts for each Democrats and Republicans in a Hill Nation congressional district race between Wendy Davis and incumbent Chip Roy featured mask-wearing.

• In January of this yr, GOP candidate Don Huffines ran a GOP main advert that stated “When different Republicans are siding with Dr. Fauci” — over a picture of Gov. Greg Abbott carrying a masks — Huffines “stood in your freedom.”

Sure, however: This yr’s basic election adverts have not had the identical tone.

What they’re saying: “There is not a lot to be gained both means on this concern,” Daron Shaw, a professor of presidency on the College of Texas, tells Axios.

• “Public attitudes in Texas are ambivalent: There’s some sense that issues have been locked down too lengthy — particularly with respect to the general public faculties — however there may be disagreement on this. Extra to the purpose, different points — costs, crime, border safety, schooling — have eclipsed COVID.”

Of observe: Within the newest spherical of polling from UT’s Texas Politics Undertaking, carried out in late August and early September, 1% of respondents named COVID as probably the most vital downside dealing with Texas. Border safety and immigration ranked as the highest points.

• The identical ballot discovered that 21% of Texans describe COVID as a “vital disaster” — down from 43% at the beginning of this yr.

By the numbers: New circumstances in Texas are in decline.

The underside line: COVID remains to be slowly spreading, however that does not imply candidates need to discuss it.