Crockett Enters Texas Senate Race Following Allred’s Exit

Key Takeaways

• Rep. Jasmine Crockett has filed paperwork to run for the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas.
• Crockett will face state Rep. James Talarico in the Democratic primary, with the winner potentially facing Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn or other GOP candidates in the general election.
• The Senate race is expected to be one of the most expensive in the 2026 national cycle, with some estimates suggesting it could cost at least $750 million.
• Crockett’s entry into the race comes after former Rep. Colin Allred dropped out of the Senate race to run for the newly-drawn 33rd Congressional District in Dallas County.
• The Republican primary is also closely watched, with Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt vying for the nomination.

Introduction to the Senate Race
The U.S. Senate race in Texas has just become more interesting with Rep. Jasmine Crockett filing paperwork to run for the Democratic primary. This move comes hours ahead of a planned news conference where she is set to announce her plans. Crockett will face state Rep. James Talarico, whose campaign has already generated national headlines and raised a record $6.2 million in the first three weeks of his campaign announcement. The Democratic primary is expected to be highly competitive, with the winner potentially facing Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn or other GOP candidates in the general election.

The Democratic Primary
Crockett’s entry into the race comes after former Rep. Colin Allred dropped out of the Senate race to run for the newly-drawn 33rd Congressional District in Dallas County. Allred cited the need for party unity and the potential for a bruising Senate Democratic primary and runoff to prevent the Democratic Party from going into the critical election unified against the danger posed by Donald Trump and other Republican candidates. Crockett, on the other hand, has stated that she would only run for U.S. Senate if polling showed she could win a general election, not just the Democratic primary. She has also expressed her commitment to sharing her internal polling with Talarico and Allred, emphasizing that the decision to run is not about her, but about what is best for the country.

The Republican Primary
The Republican primary is also closely watched, with Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt vying for the nomination. The primary is expected to be highly competitive, with some predicting a runoff. Republican consultant Vinny Minchillo believes that Crockett’s entry into the race could help turn out Republicans, as they may not be comfortable with her perceived extreme and far-left views. Minchillo also predicts that the Senate race could cost at least $750 million, making it one of the most expensive in the 2026 national cycle.

Crockett’s Chances
Crockett’s chances of winning the general election are uncertain, with some Democrats expressing concerns that she may be too polarizing a candidate. However, others believe that she could energize Democrats and potentially bring out new voters. Matt Angle, Director of the Lone Star Project, a Democratic PAC, notes that Crockett’s ability to increase turnout for Democrats without motivating Republicans will be a key challenge. Angle also emphasizes that Republicans have little to brag about at any level, and that being upset with one or two Democrats may not be enough to overcome the fact that they are profoundly disappointed with Republican leadership.

The Impact on Other Races
Crockett’s decision to run for the Senate will leave behind the 30th Congressional District she has represented since 2023. Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth will file to run in the newly drawn 30th District, which mostly includes parts of Dallas County and a portion of eastern Tarrant County. The newly drawn 33rd Congressional District is now entirely within Dallas County and a majority Latino district, with Allred facing Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson of Farmers Branch in the primary. The Republican candidates for this seat include Ryan Binkley, Darrell Day, Aimee Carrasco, Monty Montanez, and Paul Bondar.

Conclusion
The U.S. Senate race in Texas is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and expensive in the 2026 national cycle. With Crockett’s entry into the Democratic primary, the race is expected to be highly contested, with the winner potentially facing a strong Republican opponent in the general election. The outcome of the race will have significant implications for the state of Texas and the country as a whole, making it a crucial election to watch in the coming months.