Rep. Jasmine Crockett Enters U.S. Senate Race, Shaking Up 2026 Democratic Primary

Rep. Jasmine Crockett speaks at a campaign event after officially filing to run for the U.S. Senate on December 8, 2025. (Texas Tribune)

TEXAS — U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) officially filed to run for the U.S. Senate on December 8, 2025, entering the Democratic primary just hours before the deadline and shortly after former Rep. Colin Allred exited the race to focus on keeping his House seat. Crockett currently represents Texas’ 30th Congressional District, first elected in 2022 after a term in the Texas House, and has risen to national prominence through high-profile committee clashes and viral moments that energized the Democratic base.

Crockett is expected to hold a formal campaign-launch event in the coming days. Her team cites internal polling that shows her positioned strongly heading into the March 3, 2026, primary.

A Smaller, High-Stakes Primary Field

Crockett enters a field now led by state Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin), who raised $6.2 million shortly after announcing his candidacy. Talarico, known for his pointed critiques of GOP policies on social media and in the legislature, publicly welcomed Crockett’s entry but emphasized his “grassroots momentum.”

Allred’s departure reduces the likelihood of a runoff, setting the stage for a direct contest between two Democrats with statewide name recognition and appeal across different constituencies.

Campaign Themes: Equity, Education, and the Economy

Early reporting indicates Crockett will center her campaign on economic equity, public-school funding, reproductive justice, voting rights, affordable housing, infrastructure, criminal-justice reform, and expanding living-wage job opportunities. Her campaign is expected to target a broad coalition of Black and brown voters, young progressives, and urban/suburban Democrats.

Crockett enters the race with $4.6 million in cash-on-hand, a significant war chest for a primary challenger. She has also signaled confidence in her data-driven path to victory in both the primary and the general election.

A Heated General Election Looms

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will face incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R), who is seeking a fifth term. Cornyn is navigating his own competitive primary against Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. Recent polling shows Cornyn closing the gap with Paxton after airing ads aligning himself closely with former President Donald Trump’s policy agenda.

For Democrats, the Texas Senate seat remains a long-shot but strategically important opportunity as they attempt to regain a majority in Washington. Texas redistricting in 2021 shrank the number of Democratic-leaning House districts in the Dallas region—another factor contributing to Crockett’s decision to pivot to a statewide race.