A new ad for Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico features a source with historic ties to his opponent, embattled MAGA Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Over a decade ago, Texas attorney Joe Joplin alleged that Paxton stole his $1,000 Montblanc pen, a gift from his wife. Joplin had left the pen in a dish at a courthouse metal detector, where security cameras later captured Paxton picking it up and walking away with it.

At the time, Paxton’s spokesperson claimed it was a simple mistake. Paxton returned the pen after Joplin reported it, and Joplin ultimately decided not to press charges.

Now, more than a decade later, Joplin is getting his own form of payback by endorsing Talarico in the Texas Senate race. A new campaign ad features the courthouse security footage and revisits the bizarre incident.

Team Talarico shared the ad on social media, joking about the incident and highlighting Joplin’s decision to support Talarico.

When Talarico shared the ad himself, he added a short caption:

“I’ll never steal your pen.”

The campaign also launched a fundraiser selling $6 pens bearing the inscription:

“NOT KEN PAXTON’S PEN”

The unusual campaign tactic quickly drew attention online, with people praising the ad for its deliberately petty humor.

The incident has become part of a broader effort by Talarico’s campaign to portray Paxton negatively ahead of the Senate race. Paxton, who has faced a long history of legal and political controversies, is a prominent MAGA Republican and has received the endorsement of President Donald Trump.