Democratic Texas Senate Primary Heats Up as Candidates Vie for Spotlight

In the heart of Texas, a fierce Democratic primary battle is unfolding between Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico, two rising stars within the party who are competing for the chance to challenge Republican Sen. John Cornyn in November. As early voting continues ahead of the March 3 primary, both candidates are crisscrossing the state, making their final pitches to voters in what could be the most competitive Senate race Texas Democrats have mounted in decades.

On Thursday, Crockett rallied supporters in Fort Worth and across the Dallas metropolitan area, emphasizing her congressional experience and established record on the federal level.

“Now, I’m not saying that this moment is easy, but at least y’all know exactly how I operate in this moment on the federal level,” Crockett told supporters in Fort Worth. “You know who I am. You know how I get down.”

Her Fort Worth appearance carried particular significance, occurring in a county where Democrats recently scored a surprising special election victory in a heavily Republican district previously carried by former President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, Talarico has gained unexpected momentum following a controversy involving his appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” The interview was recorded but never aired on television after CBS lawyers advised against broadcasting it, citing concerns about potential regulatory issues from the Trump administration. Instead, the interview was posted to YouTube, where it has amassed nearly 8 million views.

“It was an honor to vote in this election. It was my name on the ballot,” Talarico said after casting his early vote in Austin this week. “But this is a movement that includes thousands of Texans. We are building a movement to take back our state and our country.”

The Colbert incident provided a significant fundraising boost for Talarico, with his campaign reporting $2.5 million raised within 24 hours after news broke about the unaired interview. Crockett acknowledged the impact in an MSNBC interview, noting it probably gave her opponent “the boost he was looking for.”

Harris County Democratic Chair Mike Doyle confirmed the incident’s effect: “Whether or not it pans out long-term, who knows? But the bump for Talarico’s campaign in the wake of the pulled interview was undeniable.”

Both candidates have built national profiles through viral social media moments before entering the Senate race last year. Talarico has distinguished himself by tying his progressive positions to his Christian faith, often quoting Jesus in his public remarks. Crockett has gained attention through forceful confrontations with Republicans during congressional hearings and floor debates.

The Democratic primary winner will face a significant challenge in November, as Democrats haven’t won a Senate race in Texas since 1988. However, party strategists see a potential opening to boost their long-shot hopes of reclaiming a Senate majority, especially if Republicans nominate Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who faces Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in a contentious GOP primary.

Paxton, while popular with MAGA voters, carries significant political baggage from years of legal troubles, including his impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas House (though he was acquitted by the Senate) and ongoing federal investigations.

At her Fort Worth rally, Crockett emphasized the stakes of the election, telling supporters that democracy under Trump is “hanging on by a thread” and that they “cannot let up off the gas.”

“People want to know that it is not business as usual and that you are going to go to the mat because it matters,” Crockett said. “People are mad.”

The sentiment resonated with supporters like Ivon Gonzalez, a 41-year-old registered nurse who voted early for Crockett. While acknowledging Talarico’s viral Colbert moment, Gonzalez explained her preference: “I just want somebody with more grit, with more just fearlessness.”

The March 3 primary will be the first major contest of the 2026 midterm election cycle, potentially setting the tone for competitive races across the country. With changing demographics and increasing political engagement in Texas, Democrats are cautiously optimistic about improving their chances in a state that has been a Republican stronghold for generations.

As early voting continues through next week, both candidates are making their final appeals to Democratic voters, each presenting different visions for how to challenge Republican dominance in Texas and potentially reshape the political landscape of the nation’s second most populous state.