Rep Jasmine Crockett

 

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett officially launched her 2026 U.S. Senate campaign Monday, December 8, 2025, holding a high-energy event in Dallas that drew supporters from across Texas. Crockett, 44, will face state Rep. James Talarico in the Democratic primary, with the winner set to challenge the Republican nominee — either Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Crockett’s announcement came the same day former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred ended his Senate bid to instead run for Congress. Earlier Monday, Crockett released a campaign video featuring her saying nothing while audio of former President Donald Trump plays, including a remark calling her a “very low IQ person.” She turns to the camera and smiles as the message “Crockett for U.S. Senate” appears, signaling her willingness to confront Trump directly in Texas.

At the evening event, Crockett addressed a fired-up crowd with the podium sign reading “Crockett, Texas Tough.” She spoke about the responsibility she felt in running for Senate and reflected on her career in Congress, declaring, “We are gonna get this done.” 

Crockett also detailed why she is entering the race. She said Texas needs a senator who will fight for middle-class and hard-working Texans — ranchers, farmers, young families, oil workers, small businesses, and the everyday people who power the state’s economy. She argued that under Trump and decades of Republican control, these communities have been under daily attack, whether for their faith, who they love, or the language spoken at home. She framed her campaign as an effort to protect Texans from those attacks and to safeguard constitutional rights. Crockett added that the state deserves someone who will be an independent voice for all 30 million Texans, especially as rural hospitals and public schools continue to close. She said she is running to expand access to opportunity, make homeownership and entrepreneurship achievable again, and push Washington to focus on the issues that actually matter to working families

She also emphasized the importance of voting, echoing Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who opened the conversation by stating, “Texas isn't a red state, Texas is a BLUE state that doesn't vote.” Crockett expanded on this, noting that voter apathy has shaped outcomes but stressing, “People like to devalue certain people, but the one place that equalizes us is at the ballot box. Every single vote counts.”

Several prominent figures spoke in support of Crockett. Houston Council Member Tiffany Thomas praised her impact on the community, while a young member of the trans community shared how Crockett personally helped them feel safe in the state. Pastor Freddy Haynes III, who filed earlier Monday for the 30th Congressional District, described Crockett as “fueled by faith…a faith that guides her to fight for those who can't fight for themselves.”

Crockett also criticized Cornyn, the current Senate seat holder, noting that while he “used to try to help Texans, now all he is doing is kissing the ring and bending the knee.” She reaffirmed her readiness for the fight against Trump, telling supporters, “I am not afraid of the fight — but I ask the people of Texas to be on my side, one vote at a time.” She pointed to Mississippi as an example of flipping seats, underscoring her belief that Texans can do the same.

Throughout her speech, Crockett highlighted her expertise as a civil rights and defense attorney and her experience at both the state and federal levels. She acknowledged the challenges of entering the Senate race late but insisted she was ready for “this hard choice,” expressing gratitude for her constituents and supporters along the way.

Crockett’s entry sets up a high-profile Democratic primary with Talarico, as she hopes her campaign will energize apathetic voters and challenge misconceptions that Texas is a permanently red state.