AUSTIN, Texas - During an appearance at the South by Southwest Conferences & Festivals on Friday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) continued his attacks on national Democrats who came out against a Texas congressional candidate. 

Sanders said it was “absolutely unacceptable” that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee dumped opposition research on Texas Democratic congressional candidate Laura Moser.

Moser is now in a heated run-off. 

The senator compared it to his own experiences during the 2016 presidential campaign. 

During the wide-ranging discussion, Sanders added that he believes Texas could turn blue if Democrats work hard enough to get voters to the polls, saying he’s encouraged by recent primary voter turnout.

But Sanders also brought a message of unity to deep-red Texas. 

“On issue after issue, whether it is the need for banking reform or gun violence issues, the truth is, the American people are by in large not divided,” Sanders said. 

Along with his SXSW address, Sanders will also be staging rallies in San Antonio and Lubbock, deep-red Trump country, as he aims to increase voter turnout in Texas.