About the Congresswoman
Office of US Rep. Jasmine CrockettFEB 18
US Midterms: Texas Senate Democratic Primary
Does Jasmine Crockett's rapid rise to anti-Trump stardom make her the best candidate or do Democrats need Talarico's red district-flipping skillset more?
Above: Texas state Rep. James Talarico (left) and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett debate in Georgetown, Texas, on Jan. 24, 2026. Image credit: Bob Daemmrich/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Texas Democrats face a choice about how aggressively to confront Republican leadership, and Jasmine Crockett is the only candidate in this race openly willing to fight back hard. After building her career as a civil rights attorney and public defender, she then unseated an incumbent in the Texas House and helped lead the 2021 quorum break over voting laws. In Congress, she has been an outspoken critic of Trump, Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton while securing federal resources for her district. Her deep care for every Texan is a much-needed change in the U.S. Senate.
Narrative B
For Democrats focused on electability, James Talarico offers a broader appeal in a red state. A former teacher and four-term state lawmaker, he frames progressive priorities through persuasion and moral clarity rather than confrontation. He pairs criticism of ICE with support for border security, centers his campaign on anti-corruption reforms — without potentially problematic corporate ties — and speaks beyond partisan silos. His 2018 win in a Trump-leaning district suggests potential to convert independents and expand the coalition needed to compete statewide.