Rep. Keith Self, the incumbent Republican in Texas’s 3rd Congressional District, slammed his GOP primary opponent, Mark Newgent, for encouraging Democrats to vote in the Republican primary during a forum at the East Plano Islamic Center.

“Any so-called Republican who encourages Democrats to vote in a Republican primary is completely out of touch and just serving his own ambitions,” Self told The Dallas Express. “My opponent is a California Democrat bought and paid for by EPIC City developers.”

Newgent addressed voters at the EPIC forum on February 9, advising Democratic attendees that they could participate in the Republican primary without registering as Republicans and vote for him in an effort to defeat Self. “That’s your only chance to get rid of Keith Self, period,” Newgent said, directing Democrats on how to influence the GOP contest.

The EPIC project, now called “The Meadow,” has drawn scrutiny from federal and state authorities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development opened an investigation into potential discrimination, and Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the municipal utility district overseeing the development. Self has been a vocal critic of the project and recently launched the Sharia-Free America Caucus with fellow Texas legislators.

Newgent, a former California resident and retired Army captain, has also drawn attention for remarks framed as pro-Palestinian and pro-Muslim. At the forum, he reportedly addressed attendees in Arabic, and his campaign previously marketed him as a “pro-Palestinian running as a Republican.” Critics say these positions are at odds with core Republican values and could undermine conservative priorities in the district.

Self emphasized the importance of conservative voter turnout and pledged support for Proposition 10 to “ban Sharia in Texas.” President Trump has endorsed Self in the race, underscoring his standing as the district’s established conservative representative.

Self’s campaign argues that Newgent’s efforts to court Democratic votes and appeal to outside ideological interests demonstrate a willingness to put personal ambition above party principles, while Self maintains his focus on protecting Texas values and serving the district’s Republican voters.