Texas Senate Race Intensifies as Crockett Accuses Opposition of Darkening Her Skin in Ads

In a heated Texas Senate race, Rep. Jasmine Crockett has accused progressive opponents of using racially motivated attacks against her campaign, adding a new layer of tension to an already contentious Democratic primary.

Crockett, who currently serves as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Texas, told supporters that while she’s accustomed to criticism from Republicans, facing racially tinged attacks from fellow progressives caught her by surprise.

“The thing that is not normal is for me to be attacked from the left,” Crockett said during a recent campaign event. “That is the new wild card in this scenario. But it’s just interesting.”

The congresswoman specifically pointed to campaign advertisements she claims darkened her skin tone. “I look at this specifically as a civil rights lawyer, and I see when they’re sending out ads and they’re darkening my skin. And I’m just like, I know what this is, right?” Crockett said, though she did not identify which specific ads or groups were responsible.

This accusation adds to the growing racial tensions in the Democratic primary contest between Crockett and Texas state Rep. James Talarico. The two are vying for the chance to challenge the eventual Republican nominee for the Senate seat in November’s general election.

The race has already been marked by controversy surrounding Talarico. Before Crockett entered the race, Talarico was running against former Rep. Collin Allred, who had previously challenged Sen. Ted Cruz unsuccessfully in 2024. Allred exited the race in December 2025, but recently alleged that Talarico had referred to him as a “mediocre Black man” during that campaign.

Talarico denied the allegation in a statement to the Texas Tribune, saying he would “never attack him on the basis of race” and acknowledging that as a Black man, Allred “has had to work twice as hard to get where he is.” Talarico added that he understood how his critique “could be interpreted given this country’s painful legacy of racism.”

Crockett has also expressed frustration over what she perceives as unequal treatment in media coverage. She noted that Talarico appeared on Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show,” while she has not received an invitation since launching her Senate campaign, suggesting potential bias in how the candidates are being showcased to national audiences.

The racial dynamics playing out in this Democratic primary reflect broader tensions within the party as it grapples with representation and identity politics. Texas, a traditionally Republican stronghold in statewide races, presents significant challenges for Democratic candidates regardless of who emerges from the primary.

Early voting is already underway in Texas, with the primary election scheduled for March 3. The winner of the Democratic contest will face a formidable challenge in the general election, where Republicans have maintained a firm grip on Senate seats for decades.

The Republican primary features its own three-way battle among incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt. The outcome of this Republican contest will determine which candidate the Democratic nominee will face in November.

Political analysts note that these intra-party tensions could affect Democratic turnout and enthusiasm in the general election, potentially hampering the party’s already difficult path to flipping a Senate seat in Texas. The racial allegations exchanged during the primary phase may also influence how candidates position themselves and appeal to diverse constituencies in the general election campaign.

As primary day approaches, both Crockett and Talarico continue to focus on voter outreach while navigating these sensitive issues of race and representation that have become central to their contest.