Texas Democrats are putting their hopes on Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a sophomore congresswoman, to flip the state’s Senate seat-an ambition that could shake the GOP stronghold.
Crockett’s Underdog Narrative
In a nearly 30-minute interview, Crockett framed her campaign as an underdog story with historic potential. She echoed Barack Obama’s own Senate run, saying, “I’m here to tell you that, yes, we can.”
Crockett’s strategy centers on expanding the electorate by mobilizing voters who typically stay home. Texas has more than 18 million registered voters, yet only 11 million cast ballots in the 2024 presidential election. “My theory of the case has been to get those people that feel like there’s no one that really represents them and pull them out,” she explained.
She highlighted rising name recognition from viral confrontations with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and President Donald Trump, arguing that national attention can spur turnout among disengaged voters.
Targeting the New Republican Base
Crockett plans to court self-identified conservatives, including those who voted for Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. In Texas, Trump earned 500,000 more votes than he did in 2020, while Harris lost the state by a wider margin than Biden did four years earlier.
When asked if Harris’s centrist appeal might dampen enthusiasm among Democratic base voters, Crockett acknowledged the risk. “I do think that you run the risk of the base kind of tuning you out,” she said. “But it’s important that people know you are down to govern. You won’t always have the cards in your favor. If I become Senator Crockett, Donald Trump will still be the president.”
Economic and AI Concerns
Crockett cited affordability as a key issue. Roughly eight in ten Americans say the cost of living remains a major concern, with inflation and housing costs topping voter priorities. She pointed to recent Democratic wins in Georgia, Tennessee, and Miami as proof of the strategy’s viability.
She supports raising the federal minimum wage and opposes Trump’s tariffs, arguing they worsen economic pressure and disproportionately harm farmers and small businesses.
The rapid expansion of artificial-intelligence infrastructure also entered her platform. Her Dallas-based district recently secured a multimillion-dollar investment to host large AI data centers. Opposition to data-center construction has grown nationwide, especially in rural and suburban communities concerned about rising electricity and water bills.
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order easing state-level regulations on AI development, promoting a uniform federal framework. “We’ve experienced historic droughts here in Texas,” Crockett said. “This is only going to compound the issue.”
She framed AI infrastructure as a coalition-building opportunity: “This is an opportunity to bring together people who aren’t usually allies. Those worried about environmental impacts, those worried about their bills and those worried about their livelihoods, whether that’s a family farm or a small business that depends on water access.”
Primary Dynamics and Republican Support
Before facing a general-election matchup, Crockett must survive a competitive Democratic primary. Former Rep. Colin Allred ended his campaign hours before Crockett launched her bid. She will face Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a former public-school teacher who entered the race earlier and has been polling ahead of several other Democratic contenders. Talarico welcomed Crockett to the race when she announced her candidacy.
Republicans have cheered Crockett’s entrance. At a news conference, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was “absolutely delighted” by her decision, signaling the party’s eagerness to face her statewide.
Crockett brushed off the response. “They know what the polling shows. They know that I’m ahead in the polling in the primary. They know how strong my polling is for the general as well,” she said. “My goal is to keep people focused on what they know. I am a fundraising machine, and I’m going to raise money. People who typically don’t care about politics connect with me. That’s a scary thing for them, because that’s what polling cannot predict.”
Key Takeaways
- Jasmine Crockett, a sophomore congresswoman, is positioning herself as an underdog with historic potential to flip Texas’s Senate seat.
- Her strategy focuses on mobilizing disengaged voters, courting conservatives, and leveraging AI infrastructure concerns.
- The primary will pit Crockett against state Rep. James Talarico, while Republicans welcome her challenge with enthusiasm.
The race underscores a broader shift in Texas politics, as Democrats seek to capitalize on voter fatigue and economic anxieties to challenge a long-standing Republican stronghold.
