Jasmine Crockett files for Texas Democratic Senate primary ahead of deadline
Rep. Jasmine Crockett formally filed paperwork Dec. 8, the final day of candidate qualifying, launching a Dallas campaign event roughly 90 minutes before the state's 6 p.m. CT filing deadline for the March 3 Democratic primary. She joins a competitive Democratic field that includes state Rep. James Talarico—who has reported roughly $6.2–6.3 million raised and 10,000 volunteers and has welcomed her entry—while Crockett’s House committee reported about $2.7 million raised in Q3 and $4.6 million cash on hand; Republicans such as Sen. John Cornyn, AG Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt are expected GOP contenders and have already sought to make her a target as Democrats eye a challenging 2026 map.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Rep. Jasmine Crockett officially filed paperwork and launched her U.S. Senate campaign on Dec. 8, the final day of candidate qualifying, holding a Dallas announcement roughly 90 minutes before the state's 6 p.m. CT filing deadline.
- The Texas Democratic primary is scheduled for March 3.
- State Rep. James Talarico is also running in the Democratic primary; his campaign reported raising about $6.2–$6.3 million in its first three weeks, has roughly 10,000 volunteers, reported nearly $5 million cash on hand at the end of September, and issued a statement welcoming Crockett.
- Former Rep. Colin Allred ended his Senate bid the same day and filed to run for the newly drawn TX-33 House seat after the Supreme Court allowed Texas' new map to be used in 2026.
- Crockett’s House campaign committee reported raising about $2.7 million in Q3 and finishing September with roughly $4.6 million cash on hand.
- On the Republican side, potential primary contenders include Sen. John Cornyn, AG Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt; the Texas Senate contest is expected to be among the most expensive races of the 2026 cycle.
- Republican reactions to Crockett’s entry were sharp—AG Ken Paxton called her “Crazy Crockett” and an RNC spokesperson labeled her an “embarrassment”—signaling GOP strategy to make her profile a liability.
- Democrats view the race in the context of needing a net gain of four Senate seats in 2026; Democratic consultant Kamau Marshall stressed the importance of winning both the primary sprint and the general election in November.
đź“Š Relevant Data
In 2023, the population of Texas was composed of 39.3% non-Hispanic White, 40.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race, 11.6% Black or African American, 5.1% Asian, and smaller percentages for other groups.
Demographics of Texas — Wikipedia
The Supreme Court allowed Texas to use a redrawn congressional map for the 2026 election that was challenged as racially discriminatory for diluting the voting power of Black and Hispanic voters in Dallas-area districts.
Supreme Court allows Texas to use redistricting map challenged as racially discriminatory — SCOTUSblog
Democrats have not won a statewide election in Texas since 1994, partly due to low voter turnout among eligible voters, with Texas having the second-lowest voter turnout in the 2024 presidential election at 61% of registered voters.
Texas had nation's second-lowest voter turnout — Axios Dallas
In recent elections, voter turnout rates in Texas vary by race, with White voters having higher turnout rates compared to Hispanic and Black voters; for example, in the 2020 election, turnout among White eligible voters was about 66%, compared to 54% for Hispanics and 62% for Blacks nationally, with similar patterns in Texas.
Voting and Voter Registration as a Share of the Voter Population, by Race/Ethnicity — KFF
The growing Hispanic population in Texas, which increased from 32% in 2010 to over 40% in 2023, represents a potential shift in electoral dynamics if turnout increases, as Hispanics tend to lean Democratic, contributing to why Democrats see a chance to win statewide for the first time in over 30 years.
Understanding Texas' Population Growth — Texas 2036
đź“° Sources (3)
- Crockett formally launched her Senate campaign on Dec. 8, the final day of candidate qualifying, with a Dallas announcement planned.
- Talarico’s first filing shows almost $6.3 million raised within three weeks of launch and nearly $5 million cash on hand at September’s end.
- Crockett’s House committee reported raising about $2.7 million in Q3 and ending September with $4.6 million cash on hand.
- Republican reactions included AG Ken Paxton calling her “Crazy Crockett” and an RNC spokesperson labeling her an “embarrassment,” signaling GOP strategy to make her profile a liability.
- Democratic consultant Kamau Marshall emphasized the need to win both the primary sprint and the general electorate in November.
- Context note: Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats in 2026; most seats up are in Trump‑won states.
- Rep. Jasmine Crockett officially filed paperwork Monday to run in Texas' Democratic U.S. Senate primary.
- Her announcement event is set roughly 90 minutes before the state's 6 p.m. CT candidate filing deadline; the primary is March 3.
- State Rep. James Talarico is in the race; his campaign says it raised a record $6.2 million in its first three weeks and has 10,000 volunteers. He issued a statement welcoming Crockett.
- Former Rep. Colin Allred ended his Senate bid the same day and filed to run for the newly drawn TX-33 House seat after the Supreme Court allowed Texas' new map to be used in 2026.
- Republican primary contenders include Sen. John Cornyn, AG Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt; the general election is expected to be among the most expensive of the 2026 cycle.