By Jack Fink
Updated on: December 8, 2025 / 11:50 PM EST / CBS Texas
Rep. Jasmine Crockett filed paperwork Monday to run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas and held a news conference announcing her bid.
“I’m done with going along to get along, and it gets us nowhere,” Crockett said. “I’m done watching rural hospitals and public schools close their doors. I’m done watching parents be afraid to send their kids to school or the mall or the movies because Republicans have flooded our streets with guns. I’m done with the Senators sitting around doing nothing, while Trump takes your hard-earned money, skims your Social Security, slashes Medicare, and gives tax breaks to billionaires. I’m done. I’m done watching the American dream on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug. The gloves have been off, and now I’m jumping into the ring. I’m asking for your support to be the next United States Senator from the great state of Texas.”
Crockett will face state Rep. James Talarico of Austin in the Democratic primary. Talarico, whose campaign drew national attention, raised a record $6.2 million in the first three weeks after his announcement. After Crockett filed, Talarico released a statement welcoming her to the race and emphasizing his grassroots fundraising and volunteer network.
On the Republican side, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt are competing for their party’s nomination. The eventual general election contest is expected to be one of the costliest races of the 2026 cycle.
Paxton’s campaign issued a statement Monday deriding Crockett as “Crazy Crockett” and criticized Cornyn for having spent tens of millions in the primary despite being described as in third place.
Crockett’s entry followed former Rep. Colin Allred’s decision earlier Monday to exit the Senate race and instead file to run for the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District in Dallas County. The Supreme Court recently allowed Texas’ new congressional map to be used in 2026, reshaping several Dallas-area districts represented by Democrats.
Allred said he stepped aside because a bruising Democratic Senate primary and potential runoff could leave the party divided ahead of a critical election against Trump-aligned Republicans. Allred announced his congressional campaign to represent the new District 33.
Before filing, some Democrats had expressed concern that multiple high-profile Senate candidates could have spread party resources thin instead of running for other statewide offices. Crockett previously told CBS News Texas she would run for Senate only if internal polling showed she could win the general election, not just the primary, and said she would share that polling with potential rivals. She emphasized she was focused on winning the November general election and believed the party would need to expand the electorate rather than rely on crossover Republicans.
Crockett has gained national attention for confrontations with former President Trump. Supporters say she can energize turnout, while critics warn she could also mobilize Republicans. Matt Angle, director of the Lone Star Project (a Democratic PAC), said Crockett could increase turnout for Democrats but must avoid energizing Republican voters. Republican consultant Vinny Minchillo called her a polarizing figure who might be too far left for many Texas voters and argued she could motivate Republican turnout. Minchillo also predicted the Republican primary could head to a runoff and estimated the overall Senate contest, including outside spending, could cost at least $750 million.
Crockett’s Senate run means she will not seek reelection in the 30th Congressional District, which she has represented since 2023. Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth has announced plans to file to run in the newly drawn 30th District, which will include parts of Dallas County and eastern Tarrant County. Frederick Haynes III, senior pastor at Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, has explored a run and confirmed awareness of a draft effort.
The newly drawn 33rd District is entirely within Dallas County and is a majority-Latino district. Allred will face Rep. Julie Johnson of Farmers Branch, who currently represents the 32nd after succeeding Allred when he ran against Sen. Ted Cruz last year. The 32nd District has shifted to a Republican majority under the new map; Republican candidates include Ryan Binkley, Darrell Day, Aimee Carrasco, Monty Montanez and Paul Bondar.
Former Rep. Darrell Issa of California briefly considered running in North Texas before deciding to seek reelection in his San Diego-area district. State Rep. Katrina Pierson, R-Rockwall, considered a run for the North Texas seat but opted to seek reelection to the Texas House.
As the primary season approaches, Crockett’s entry reshapes the Democratic field in Texas and sets up a high-profile contest that will be closely watched nationally.