Jasmine Crockett set to announce Texas Senate bid

Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett to Announce Senate Candidacy

In a move that promises to shake up an already tumultuous Democratic primary, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett is expected to declare her candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Monday. This announcement comes as the Democratic Party seeks to turn the traditionally red state of Texas into a battleground in their quest to reclaim control of the Senate.

Crockett, who has represented Dallas for two terms, will go head-to-head with state Representative James Talarico, a rising star within the party. Despite polling indicating a challenging path ahead, Democrats are feeling a surge of optimism that they could achieve a statewide victory for the first time in decades, leveraging the backlash against Trump that recently propelled them to success in off-cycle elections. The 2018 campaign of Beto O’Rourke, which nearly toppled Texas Senator Ted Cruz by just two points, serves as a beacon of hope for the party.

Adding an interesting twist, former Representative Colin Allred, who was the first to enter the race, withdrew on the same day as Crockett’s anticipated announcement. His decision stemmed from a desire to avoid a contentious primary and the potential for a runoff if no candidate secures a majority in the March 3 primary. Allred’s previous Senate run in 2024 ended in a loss to Cruz by over eight percentage points.

In recent weeks, Crockett had been weighing her decision, stating that she would only run if polling indicated a viable path to victory. She believes that she can expand the electorate in Texas, a formidable challenge given the state’s entrenched Republican politics and the rightward shift observed in 2024, particularly in former Democratic strongholds along the border. To kick off her campaign, she plans an event on Monday afternoon in Dallas.

Equipped with a strong national profile and a robust fundraising network, Crockett has already raised over $6.5 million this year, primarily through online donations from small-dollar contributors. Known for her confrontational style with GOP opponents, she has also attracted criticism for some of her remarks, including her controversial comment referring to wheelchair-bound Texas Governor Greg Abbott as “hot wheels.”

However, her Senate bid has sparked some reshuffling within the House, exacerbated by the Texas GOP’s recent gerrymandering efforts. While her decision to pursue a Senate seat may prevent a challenging primary for her current district, Allred’s shift to contest a newly drawn House seat against Representative Julie Johnson is poised to create a different kind of messy primary in a solidly blue district.

Republicans argue that Crockett’s combative nature could alienate moderate voters in Texas. Senator John Cornyn has been teasing her entry into the race, with his campaign confident that she would be an easy target come general election time. Yet, Cornyn must first navigate a crowded and contentious Republican primary. His standing among conservative voters, who are questioning his loyalty to MAGA ideals, has Democrats eagerly eyeing the opportunity to flip the seat. Cornyn is facing off against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a far-right contender often seen as the frontrunner since launching his campaign in April. Meanwhile, Representative Wesley Hunt’s recent entry into the race all but guarantees that the early March primary will lead to a runoff.

Democrats are banking on a split within the GOP and the potential of Paxton, whom they consider a weaker candidate, advancing to the general election as a pathway to flipping Texas blue.

Crockett recently told the Dallas Morning News that she had reached out to both Allred and Talarico to discuss polling she commissioned, which suggested she could win the election. However, Talarico’s campaign has stated that she did not share the survey results during their conversation. Talarico has gained notoriety for his progressive interpretation of Christianity and his participation in a notable walkout by Texas lawmakers in protest of Republican gerrymandering at Trump’s behest.