Listen to the article
Texas Senate Race Highlights Democratic Split on Trump Strategy
A Dallas congresswoman who boasts she “has gone toe to toe with Donald Trump” squares off against a state lawmaker who insists Americans are tired of “politics as a blood sport” in a Texas Senate primary that showcases Democrats’ divided approach to challenging Republicans in 2026.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico represent distinct strategies as Democrats aim to break a three-decade losing streak in Texas Senate races. Their contrasting approaches mirror a broader party dilemma about how prominently to feature Trump in campaign messaging.
Crockett has embraced direct confrontation with the president. In her campaign launch video, she remained silent as Trump’s insults played, including his repeated characterization of her as a “very low-IQ person.” Later addressing Trump directly, she declared: “You’re not entitled to a damn thing in Texas. You better get to work because I’m coming for you.”
Trump quickly fired back, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that her candidacy is “a gift to Republicans” and questioning her political credentials.
This direct engagement strategy has proven effective for Democrats in raising both profiles and funds. Governors like California’s Gavin Newsom and Illinois’ JB Pritzker have gained national prominence through their Trump opposition. Similarly, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) recently leveraged a Trump attack into a national media tour and fundraising bonanza.
“Trump is the red meat that drives donors,” explains John Anzalone, a veteran Democratic pollster. “There are clearly some candidates that are playing towards the donor world that don’t actually make a great argument for winning races. But it’s great for clicks and making money. And money is the first primary that you need to win.”
Talarico, by contrast, has charted a different course. The former schoolteacher, currently pursuing a master’s degree in divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, has built a following with viral social media content challenging Republican claims to Christian values while largely avoiding direct Trump confrontation.
“The biggest divide in our country is not left versus right. It’s top versus bottom,” Talarico stated in his campaign launch, echoing successful Democratic gubernatorial campaigns in New Jersey and Virginia that focused on economic issues rather than Trump.
Voter polling shows anti-Trump sentiment remains a powerful motivator. In New Jersey’s recent gubernatorial race, 71% of Democrat Mikie Sherrill’s voters said their decision was at least partially motivated by opposition to Trump. However, Sherrill herself cautions that Democrats can’t rely solely on anti-Trump messaging.
“Trump makes a difference. He’s a forcing mechanism to coalesce the party,” Sherrill noted. “But to really turn out the vote in a really strong manner, you have got to run a really sharp campaign.”
She emphasized that effective messaging must connect Trump’s actions to voters’ everyday concerns: “You can’t just say, oh, I’m so upset that Trump demolished the East Wing of the White House. You have to say, look, there’s a tariff regime that is being run that is enriching the president to the tune of $3 billion, and you’re paying more for everything.”
Republicans, meanwhile, face little choice but to embrace Trump’s campaign presence. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles recently confirmed Trump will campaign aggressively next year, saying Republicans will “put him on the ballot.”
“He is the greatest vote energizer in the history of politics,” said veteran Republican pollster Neil Newhouse. “But the challenge is that he does it as much for Democrats as he does for Republicans.”
Republicans particularly need Trump to mobilize infrequent voters during the midterms. “They need to energize Republican voters and the only real way to energize Republican voters and get them out to vote is by enlisting Trump in the campaign,” Newhouse explained, though cautioning that Trump’s popularity doesn’t necessarily transfer to candidates he endorses.
As Democrats debate how much to focus on Trump, they face a looming strategic question. “In the not-too-distant future, Trump will not be on the ballot and that will be a challenge for both parties,” noted Austin Cook, who helped manage Democrat Elissa Slotkin’s successful Senate campaign in Michigan. “He is a starting gun for Democratic enthusiasm. But soon we won’t have him as a foil.”
The Texas Senate primary offers a preview of this strategic debate, with the winner poised to test which approach might finally break the Democratic drought in statewide Texas races.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
14 Comments
This race in Texas showcases the different approaches the Democrats are taking – some want to take the fight directly to Trump, while others want to move the conversation in a different direction. It will be fascinating to see which one works better with voters.
I think there’s merit to both strategies, but a more unifying, future-focused campaign may end up connecting better with the electorate. Voters may be looking for a break from the divisiveness.
Interesting race in Texas showcasing different Democratic strategies. Some prefer direct confrontation with Trump, while others emphasize moving past the divisiveness. It will be fascinating to see which approach resonates more with voters.
I agree, the contrast in messaging will be worth watching. Voters may respond better to a constructive, future-focused campaign rather than just attacking Trump.
Fascinating to see the different Democratic strategies on display in this Texas race. Both have merit, but the question is which one will connect better with voters.
It will be interesting to see if a more unifying, issue-focused campaign can overcome the attention-grabbing Trump-centric approach. Voters may be hungry for a different kind of politics.
The contrasting strategies on display in this Texas Senate race reflect the broader debate within the Democratic party. It will be interesting to see which approach resonates more with voters – the confrontational anti-Trump stance or the more constructive, issue-driven campaign.
Ultimately, voters will decide which messaging they find more compelling. A measured, solutions-oriented campaign may prove more appealing than constant Trump-bashing, but there are good arguments on both sides.
This race highlights the ongoing debate within the Democratic party about how to approach Trump and Trumpism. Voters will have a clear choice between the two very different campaign styles.
It’s a difficult balance – condemn Trump’s actions without getting dragged into a never-ending feud. Voters may appreciate a more unifying, solutions-oriented approach.
The Texas Senate race highlights the Democrats’ strategic dilemma – lean into the anti-Trump sentiment, or try to shift the narrative to other priorities? There are good arguments on both sides.
Ultimately, voters will decide which approach they find more compelling. A constructive, solutions-oriented campaign may resonate better than constant Trump-bashing.
The Texas Senate race is a microcosm of the broader Democratic dilemma. Do they keep Trump front and center, or try to shift the focus to other issues? There are good arguments on both sides.
Ultimately, voters will decide which approach they find more compelling. A measured, forward-looking campaign may resonate better than constant Trump-bashing.