Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas officially launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate on Monday, filing paperwork in Dallas and entering a closely watched contest ahead of the midterm elections. Crockett acknowledged the uphill nature of the race — no Democrat has won a statewide contest in Texas in more than three decades — but said she believes a Senate seat would give her a bigger platform to press Texans’ concerns and push back against policies she says are harming communities across the state.
Crockett noted that advisers had urged her to remain in the House, but she argued a Senate bid would let her have “a bigger voice” to address what she described as relentless harm affecting ordinary people. Her announcement quickly drew attention from Republican strategists, who view her as an attractive target partly because of her outspoken opposition to former President Donald Trump and her active role on the 2024 campaign trail. Crockett also publicly defended President Biden after last year’s high-profile debate, a move GOP critics have seized on in their messaging.
The Republican National Committee released a sharply worded statement criticizing Crockett and questioning her electability in a statewide contest. Republicans intend to use her national profile and past comments in ads and fundraising appeals, while Democrats see Crockett’s entry as an opportunity to contest a rare statewide race in Texas.
CBS News reporter Shawna Mizelle, reporting from Dallas, said the campaign launch had visible energy and that the race is likely to draw intense advertising and fundraising, potentially becoming one of the costliest Senate contests this cycle. National and state party officials are already weighing strategy, endorsements and resource allocation as candidates formalize platforms and build campaign operations.
CBS News will continue to monitor the race and report on developments as campaigns announce policy priorities, endorsements and financial filings in the lead-up to the midterms.
