Democrats Divided Over Texas Senate Primary as Party Seeks Path Forward

Candidates Talarico and Crockett offer competing visions for the Democratic Party in the Lone Star State

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Texas Democrats may be divided over whether state Rep. James Talarico or U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett should be their party's Senate nominee, but they agree on one thing: They're itching for a fight. Talarico and Crockett have put forth competing visions for the Democratic Party as it searches for a path after a deflating 2024 loss to Trump - one looks to energize voters across the political spectrum, while the other aims to energize the Democratic base.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate primary provides clues about how Democrats want to approach the fight against Republicans in the state, which has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in over 30 years. The outcome could shape the party's strategy nationally as it looks to regain its footing after recent losses.

The details

Talarico told supporters that if they 'hate politics and you've never voted before,' or if they 'voted for Donald Trump but you are fed up with the extremism and the corruption in our government,' they have a place in his campaign. Crockett, meanwhile, said the party should 'double down' on appealing to the Democratic base, arguing it's 'only fair' to the party's core supporters. Conversations with Texas Democrats reveal they are still divided over which path to follow.

  • The Texas Senate primary election is scheduled for next week.

The players

James Talarico

A Texas state representative running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

Jasmine Crockett

A U.S. Representative running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Texas.

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What they’re saying

“If you hate politics and you've never voted before, you have a place in this campaign. If you have voted for Democrats but you're tired of D.C. Democrats' always folding, you have a place in this campaign.”

— James Talarico, Texas state representative

“I'm not saying that Republicans are not welcome, because the fights that I'm waging, they are for everyone. But I also think that it is truly only fair to the Democratic base to double down and say, 'I am a Democrat, and I am going to fight for those principled things like raising the wage,' which, again, helps everyone, right?”

— Jasmine Crockett, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The outcome of the Texas Senate primary next week will provide further insight into the Democratic Party's strategy in the state and nationally as it looks to regain its footing after recent losses.

The takeaway

The competing visions of Talarico and Crockett reflect the broader divisions within the Democratic Party in Texas and across the country, as the party grapples with how best to appeal to voters and regain power. The Texas Senate primary will be a key test of the party's direction.