Johnson Welcomes Rep. Crockett’s Senate Bid with Delight

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed delight at Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett’s decision to run for U.S. Senate in Texas, framing her candidacy as a boon for the Republican Party during a House leadership press conference on Wednesday.

“I’m absolutely delighted that Jasmine Crockett is running for Senate in Texas,” Johnson said, visibly enthusiastic as he rubbed his hands together and smiled. “I think it’s one of the greatest things that’s happened to the Republican Party in a long, long time. She is the face of the Democratic Party.”

The Speaker’s comments underscore the political calculation that Crockett, known as a progressive firebrand and outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, may struggle to gain traction in Texas, which has traditionally leaned Republican in statewide races. Johnson expressed confidence that Republicans would maintain their hold on the Senate seat currently occupied by Senator John Cornyn.

“We look forward to having that election down there,” Johnson added. “We are going to elect another Republican senator in Texas. Texas is a red state… The people of Texas are commonsense Americans, and what Jasmine is trying to sell will not be purchased by the folks of Texas.”

House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar quickly countered Johnson’s remarks, suggesting the Speaker was attempting to distract from Republican vulnerabilities nationwide. “I think Speaker Johnson is trying to do anything he can to distract from the majority… that we see dwindling, and it’s like sand falling through his hands,” Aguilar said.

The California Democrat pointed to recent Republican losses in Georgia House races and the Miami mayoral race, where a Democrat won for the first time in 30 years. “He would much rather talk about a Senate race than he would the Georgia House races that Republicans lost,” Aguilar stated, predicting that Johnson would lose his House majority “next November, if not sooner.”

Crockett launched her Senate campaign on Monday in Dallas, framing her candidacy as a direct challenge to Trump’s influence and criticizing incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn for failing to stand up to the former president.

“I’m done watching the American dream on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug. The gloves have been off, and now I’m jumping into the ring,” Crockett told supporters.

She acknowledged entering the race late but defended her decision by citing polling trends that she believes show a path to victory. “Many people asked, ‘Can we win this race in November?’ I’m here to say, ‘Yes, we can!'” Crockett declared, echoing a slogan from former President Obama.

The Texas Senate race could prove pivotal in determining control of the Senate in 2026. Before facing Cornyn, Crockett must first win the Democratic primary against state Representative James Talarico, another rising figure in Texas Democratic politics.

On the Republican side, Cornyn faces challenges from within his own party, including from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Representative Wesley Hunt, highlighting divisions within the GOP as it seeks to maintain its Senate majority.

The exchange between Johnson and Aguilar reflects the high stakes of the upcoming election cycle, with both parties positioning themselves for advantage in what promises to be fiercely contested battles for control of Congress. Crockett’s candidacy, while welcomed by Republicans who view her as too progressive for Texas voters, represents Democrats’ continued efforts to make inroads in a state that has shown some signs of demographic and political shifts in recent years, though Republicans have maintained their grip on statewide offices.

As the campaign unfolds, Crockett’s ability to energize progressive voters while appealing to moderates will be tested in a state where Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate seat since Lloyd Bentsen’s reelection in 1988.