Texas Senate Primary Pits Fiery Crockett Against Earnest Talarico

Democratic voters in Texas will choose between two very different approaches to taking on Trump-aligned Republicans.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 10:08pm

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The Texas Senate primary race between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico highlights the divide within the Democratic party over the best strategy to defeat Trump-aligned Republicans. Crockett, a two-term congresswoman, has established herself as an aggressive, anti-MAGA fighter who is unafraid to match Trump's vulgarity with insults of her own. Talarico, a state lawmaker and Presbyterian seminarian, takes a more earnest, faith-based approach focused on economic populism and bipartisan appeal. As Democrats crave a fighter, the primary could help decide what kind of fighter they want.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is seen as a key battleground that could help determine the direction of the Democratic party. With former President Trump's continued influence over the Republican party, Democrats are grappling with how best to counter the MAGA movement - through Crockett's confrontational style or Talarico's more conciliatory approach. The outcome of this primary could provide insights into the preferences of Democratic voters as the party looks to regain power in the 2024 elections.

The details

Crockett has built a loyal following among the Democratic base through her willingness to aggressively attack Trump allies, while Talarico is positioning himself as a unifying figure who can appeal to independents and even some Trump voters through his emphasis on faith, economic populism, and bipartisanship. The two candidates have traded barbs online, with Crockett's supporters accusing Talarico of racism and Talarico's backers criticizing Crockett's brash style. However, many Texas voters say they like both candidates and are more focused on their contrasting approaches than specific policy differences.

  • Early voting in Texas has surged this year, with more votes cast after nine days than at the same point in the 2024 and 2020 presidential primaries.
  • The Texas Senate primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Jasmine Crockett

A two-term Democratic congresswoman who has established herself as an aggressive, anti-MAGA fighter unafraid to match Trump's vulgarity with insults of her own.

James Talarico

A 36-year-old state lawmaker and Presbyterian seminarian who is taking a more earnest, faith-based approach focused on economic populism and bipartisan appeal.

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What they’re saying

“I like how she manhandles Pam Bondi”

— Tammy Lowrey, Retired Navy chief petty officer

“We are not weak people. We are strong, and she brings that out of us.”

— Dawn

“It's not left versus right; it's top versus bottom.”

— James Talarico, State lawmaker

“Hate can't teach a child to read!”

— James Talarico, State lawmaker

“His thinking is more like me; his behavior is more like me. The way he holds himself is more like me.”

— Patrick Bonds, 84-year-old Vietnam veteran

What’s next

If the race between Crockett and Talarico is close enough, it could prompt a runoff election in late May.

The takeaway

The Texas Senate primary highlights the Democratic party's internal debate over the best strategy to counter the MAGA movement - through Crockett's confrontational style or Talarico's more conciliatory approach. The outcome could provide insights into the preferences of Democratic voters as the party looks to regain power in 2024.