Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett Loses Senate Primary Amid Criticism from Fellow Democrats

Crockett faced harsh backlash from party members who called her campaign "f---ing terrible"

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a progressive Democrat from Texas, faced intense criticism from fellow party members following her loss in the state's Senate primary election. Texas state Rep. James Talarico defeated Crockett, as Democrats work to elect a Democratic senator in the red state for the first time since 1988. Crockett's campaign was lambasted by other Democrats, with one state representative calling it "f---ing terrible" and lacking a proper "ground game." Crockett's former deputy campaign manager pushed back, citing voter suppression and the overwhelming financial resources spent attacking the congresswoman.

Why it matters

Crockett's loss in the Senate primary highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party, particularly between progressive and more moderate factions. The criticism from fellow Democrats raises questions about the party's ability to unite and effectively campaign in competitive races, especially in Republican-leaning states like Texas.

The details

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a progressive Democrat from Texas, faced harsh criticism from members of her own party following her loss in the state's Senate primary election. Texas state Rep. James Talarico defeated Crockett, as Democrats work to elect a Democratic senator in the red state for the first time since 1988. Democratic Texas state Rep. Jolanda Jones called Crockett's campaign "f---ing terrible" and said she "literally had no ground game." An anonymous Black national Democratic operative told Politico that Crockett ran "a f----ing terrible campaign that many will question if she's running a campaign at all." Crockett's former deputy campaign manager, Karrol Rimal, pushed back on the criticism, citing voter suppression and the overwhelming financial resources spent attacking the congresswoman.

  • Crockett faced criticism from Democrats after announcing her Senate bid in December.
  • The Texas Senate primary election was held on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Jasmine Crockett

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Texas who lost the state's Senate primary election.

James Talarico

A Democratic Texas state Representative who defeated Crockett in the Senate primary election.

Jolanda Jones

A Democratic Texas state Representative who criticized Crockett's campaign as "f---ing terrible" and lacking a proper "ground game."

Karrol Rimal

Crockett's former deputy campaign manager, who pushed back on the criticism and cited voter suppression and financial resources spent attacking the congresswoman.

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What they’re saying

“People who don't understand politics will be upset because Jasmine was their hero. But for people who understand politics, [Crockett] literally had no ground game.”

— Jolanda Jones, Democratic Texas state Representative (Politico)

“This L is on her.”

— Jolanda Jones, Democratic Texas state Representative (Politico)

“She ran a f----ing terrible campaign that many will question if she's running a campaign at all.”

— Anonymous Black national Democratic operative (Politico)

“This was the most expensive Democratic primary ever in Texas with the overwhelming majority of those dollars being spent on attacks against the Congresswoman. Despite being outspent, she held our own and excited an untapped base of support for Democrats with record numbers of first time primary voters. There was also the intentional voter suppression of voters in Dallas and Williamson counties. That can not be ignored.”

— Karrol Rimal, Crockett's former deputy campaign manager (Politico)

What’s next

The Texas Democratic Party will need to regroup and determine how to best support their nominee, James Talarico, in the general election against the Republican candidate.

The takeaway

Crockett's loss in the Senate primary highlights the ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party, particularly between progressive and more moderate factions. The harsh criticism from fellow Democrats raises concerns about the party's ability to unite and effectively campaign in competitive races, especially in Republican-leaning states like Texas.