Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett Loses Senate Primary to James Talarico

Crockett's controversial comments and lack of statewide campaign infrastructure proved too much to overcome

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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In a surprising upset, Texas state Rep. James Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. Crockett, known for her outspoken and controversial statements, was expected to be the frontrunner but struggled to gain traction across the state. Talarico, with more establishment support and a disciplined campaign, was able to pull off the victory.

Why it matters

Crockett's loss is a setback for the progressive wing of the Democratic party in Texas, as she was seen as a rising star aligned with 'The Squad' in Congress. Talarico's win shows that even Democrats are looking for more moderate, pragmatic candidates who can appeal to a broader swath of voters.

The details

Crockett, who had a national profile and was the initial frontrunner, was unable to capitalize on her name recognition and instead saw her poll numbers slip as Talarico gained momentum. Talarico, who ran a disciplined statewide campaign, was able to outperform Crockett in key counties, including some where Crockett was expected to run up big margins. Crockett has already begun blaming 'cheating' for her loss, though election officials have not reported any major issues.

  • Polls closed across most of Texas at 7 p.m. Central on March 4, 2026.
  • As of 8 p.m. Central, Talarico held a lead of 52.4% to 46.4% for Crockett, according to NBC News.

The players

James Talarico

A Texas state representative who defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate.

Jasmine Crockett

A U.S. representative from Texas who lost the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate to James Talarico.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

Crockett's loss shows that even Democrats are looking for more moderate, pragmatic candidates who can appeal to a broader range of voters, rather than those known for controversial and divisive rhetoric. Talarico's victory suggests the party is moving away from the more progressive wing represented by 'The Squad' in Congress.