On Monday, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, officially filed paperwork to enter the Senate race, creating a significant stir in the Democratic primary just ahead of the state's filing deadline. Her name appeared on the Texas Democratic Party's candidate list that afternoon, with sources confirming the accuracy of the filing.
Crockett is set to challenge incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn, who is currently facing multiple challengers within his party. This two-term congresswoman's decision comes in light of a recent GOP-led redistricting effort that has altered her Dallas-based congressional seat, reshaping the political landscape in Texas.
Despite the fact that Democrats have not secured a statewide victory in Texas for over 30 years, the upcoming Senate race presents a potential opportunity. With Cornyn facing primary challenges from notable figures like state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt, the possibility of a Democratic seat pickup is gaining traction. To regain control of the Senate, Democrats need to net four additional seats in the upcoming elections.
The primary elections, set for March 3, will be crucial. Should no candidate receive more than 50% of the votes, the top two candidates will proceed to a runoff on May 26.
In recent months, Crockett has openly considered a Senate run, especially following the controversial redistricting that significantly affected her congressional district. Given her vocal opposition to former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, she likely enters the race with considerable name recognition.
However, some of Crockett's past remarks may provide ammunition for her opponents. Republicans have been keen to portray her as a manageable candidate, with Cornyn even encouraging her to run through social media. His campaign shared a video criticizing Crockett, labeling her as a representative of the "far-left fringe." The video highlighted her controversial statements, including her views on immigration and various personal attacks on political figures.
In response to her Senate announcement, Cornyn characterized Crockett as "radical, theatrical, and ineffective," emphasizing that his campaign would ensure Texas voters are aware of her perceived absurdity as a candidate. Paxton also chimed in, dubbing her "Crazy Jasmine Crockett" and predicting her failure in a general election match-up.
Interestingly, Cornyn has previously referred to Crockett as a "dance partner," indicating a level of respect for her capabilities, which adds another layer of complexity to their rivalry.
Despite the challenges, Crockett claims her campaign has conducted polling that indicates strong support for her candidacy. "The data says that I can win," she asserted in a recent interview, expressing confidence in her ability to connect with a coalition of "Black and brown" voters. She emphasized that her decision to run reflects a greater commitment to her constituents.
Crockett's announcement has already reshaped the dynamics of the Democratic primary. Following her entry, former Representative Colin Allred announced he would be withdrawing from the Senate race to pursue a safer House seat, believing that a divisive primary would hinder the party's chances against the Republican nominee.
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder welcomed the competition, asserting that contested primaries signal a healthy party, especially in a state known for low voter turnout.
As the primary race heats up, fundraising will play a significant role. Crockett enters the race with a solid financial backing, having accumulated $4.6 million from her House campaign, which can be transferred to her Senate run. Meanwhile, Talarico, another Democratic contender, reported a substantial fundraising haul of $6.3 million in the last quarter.
With both candidates showing strong fundraising capabilities, the Texas Senate primary is anticipated to be one of the most expensive in the state’s history. Crockett, an attorney and former state legislator, previously gained attention by fleeing the state legislature to block action on a GOP elections measure and was first elected to Congress in 2022.
As the Texas Senate race unfolds, the competition between Crockett and Talarico will be closely watched, marking a pivotal moment for the Democratic Party in Texas as they strive for a comeback in a historically challenging political landscape.