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Talarico defeats Crockett in heated Texas Senate Democratic primary
Talarico and Crockett competed in an expensive and fiercely contested race as Democrats seek first statewide win in Texas in over 30 years.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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State Rep. James Talarico topped Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in the Texas Senate Democratic primary, setting up a general election matchup against either longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn or MAGA favorite Ken Paxton. The race was marked by voting issues in some counties, with Crockett saying she plans legal action. Talarico and Crockett each argued they would be the stronger general election candidate in a state that backed Trump by nearly 14 points in 2024.
Why it matters
Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in over 30 years, but the party is hoping to pull off an upset in November. The Senate race is seen as a key battleground, with control of Congress at stake in the midterm elections.
The details
Talarico outspent Crockett on television advertising by more than four to one as of late February. He got a burst of attention last month from CBS' decision not to air his interview with Stephen Colbert, who said the network pulled the interview for fear of angering Trump's FCC. Voting was extended in Dallas County and Williamson County after voters reported being turned away and directed to different voting precincts due to new primary rules. Paxton's office later challenged the decision to keep the polls open longer, and the state Supreme Court ruled that ballots cast by people not in line by 7 p.m. should be separated from others.
- The Texas primaries kicked off the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
- The Republican runoff between Cornyn and Paxton is scheduled for May 26, 2026.
The players
James Talarico
A state representative who won the Texas Senate Democratic primary.
Jasmine Crockett
A congresswoman who lost the Texas Senate Democratic primary to Talarico.
John Cornyn
A longtime Republican senator seeking reelection in Texas.
Ken Paxton
The Texas attorney general and a MAGA favorite challenging Cornyn in the Republican primary.
Donald Trump
The former president who did not make an endorsement in the Texas Senate Republican primary.
What they’re saying
“We're about to take back Texas.”
— James Talarico (Fortune)
“People have been disenfranchised.”
— Jasmine Crockett (Fortune)
“I've worked for decades to build the Republican Party, both here in Texas and nationally. I refuse to allow a flawed, self-centered and shameless candidate like Ken Paxton to risk everything we've worked so hard to build over these many years.”
— John Cornyn, Senator (Fortune)
“We proved something they'll never understand in Washington. Texas is not for sale.”
— Ken Paxton, Attorney General (Fortune)
“We are not just trying to win an election. We are trying to fundamentally change our politics. And it's working.”
— James Talarico (Fortune)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
