The campaign of Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton is criticizing Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ahead of his Thursday night campaign rally in St. Paul.

Clinton's campaign released a statement from Laura Rosenberger, a foreign policy adviser to Clinton. She was specifically critical of Cruz's remarks in Tuesday night's Republican debate that he would "carpet bomb" ISIS until "sand can glow in the dark."

"This approach could result in mass civilian casualties," Rosenberger said. She said it would "play into ISIS's ideology; and would alienate our partners at a time when we need them most." She called Cruz's remarks irresponsible and dangerous.

Cruz has vaulted to the front rank of Republican contenders in recent weeks. His Thursday night speech in St. Paul is one of about a dozen in a campaign swing over the next week.