Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is moving closer toward entering the crowded Texas Senate primary, muddying Democrats’ best chance in years to win statewide there.
Crockett, a controversial sophomore representing Dallas, is making a “special announcement” Monday afternoon. Crockett has polled the race and spoken to her potential Senate Democratic primary rivals — former Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) and state Rep. James Talarico — about her interest in running.
Crockett told us she’ll announce Monday if she is running for Senate or House (and if it’s the House, which district). But Texas Democrats are becoming increasingly convinced Crockett will launch a statewide bid.
“I will continue to say that I’m more of a yes than a no,” Crockett said of a Senate run.
Another sign that Crockett is likely eyeing the Senate: Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) plans to run for her district if the Supreme Court leaves the new GOP-drawn gerrymandered map in place for the midterms.
Veasey won’t run against Crockett, per a person familiar with his thinking. So Veasey likely thinks Crockett’s seat will be open. Veasey’s district changed significantly in the remap.
The field. Democrats are more optimistic than they’ve been in years about Texas’ Senate race because the GOP primary field is so messy. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has two high-profile challengers in Texas AG Ken Paxton and GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt.
But now Democrats will have a crowded contest of their own. Allred is fresh off a 2024 run. Talarico, a progressive seminarian, posted impressive fundraising.
Crockett said she recently spoke with Allred and Talarico and offered to share her internal polls with them, but neither asked to see her data. A source close to Talarico said Crockett didn’t offer to share polling.
“My polling is pretty consistent with any public polling that I’ve seen,” Crockett said.
Crockett has a national profile from her televised clashes with Republicans during committee hearings. The Texas Democrat frequents cable news, has high name ID and a strong fundraising base.
The Allred-Talarico clash is already unhelpful for Democrats. Adding Crockett into the mix means the primary will require more resources and almost certainly head to a May runoff.
