U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas formally launched her U.S. Senate campaign on Monday, immediately altering the Democratic primary landscape just ahead of the filing deadline.
Addressing supporters at her launch event, she acknowledged pressure to stay in Congress but said the moment calls for a broader platform: “What we need is a bigger voice.” Running under the slogan “Texas Tough,” she pledged to focus on cost-of-living issues and to “build a strong multi-racial, multi-generational coalition,” while also vowing to hold President Donald Trump accountable.
Her candidacy arrives as Democrats seek a long-elusive statewide win and as Cornyn faces his own competitive GOP primary.
Cornyn has already taken aim at Crockett, calling her “radical, theatrical and ineffective,” and arguing that Republicans will ensure voters view her candidacy as “absurd.” NBC News also noted that GOP allies circulated videos highlighting past controversial comments Crockett made about GOP officials.
Crockett, a former public defender who entered politics in 2020, has built a national profile through viral clashes with Republicans and has become one of her party’s strongest fundraisers.
According to The Texas Tribune, she enters the race with significant name recognition and $4.6 million in cash on hand. Her decision comes after months of weighing internal polling and failed attempts to form a coordinated Democratic statewide slate.
Her entry also complicates the path for fellow Democrat James Talarico, who welcomed her to the race while maintaining that his campaign remains competitive. “We will always treat Congresswoman Crockett with the utmost respect. She is my colleague and a leader in our state. She deserves nothing less,” Talarico wrote on X.
Crockett’s move was eased by former Rep. Colin Allred’s decision to leave the race earlier Monday.
Republicans have openly telegraphed their preference for facing Crockett in a general election, with state Attorney General Ken Paxton predicting she would lose “by double digits” and jabbing Cornyn for previously referring to her as his legislative “dance partner.”
According to NBC News, Crockett referenced that remark at her launch, saying she is “in the strongest position to defeat whoever emerges,” even if that opponent is her “buddy and dancing partner, John Cornyn.”
Despite GOP attacks, Crockett cast Cornyn as politically weakened, telling supporters: “Sadly enough, we all know that Senator John Cornyn does not have the guts to stand up to Trump. But I can tell y’all who does. I do.” She said her campaign’s polling shows strength in both the primary and the general election, though public polls have not yet shown her leading a statewide matchup.
The Democratic primary is set for March 3. If no candidate wins more than 50%, the race will proceed to a May 26 runoff.
