Texas Senate Race: Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Comments Spark Intra-Democratic Tension

Commentators and columnists have debated Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s (D-TX) public remarks questioning Black voter enthusiasm for state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat. She has since shifted focus to down-ballot races, arguing that her energy would be better spent confronting Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.

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Crockett’s defeat occurred amid a contentious primary that pitted two Black candidates against each other. Talarico now leads in most polls and faces Paxton, a Trump-aligned attorney general whose scandals have made the seat a rare Democratic opportunity in a traditionally red state. The race has drawn national attention, with former President Donald Trump attending a Paxton fundraiser in Houston.

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Talarico defended Crockett, calling her “incredible work” and urging respect for her leadership. Rep.

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Party officials and Democratic strategists pushed back. Patrick Gaspard, a former Obama aide, condemned Crockett’s comments as suggesting Black voters will only turn out for Black candidates. Democratic operative Rodericka Applewhaite suggested Crockett’s focus might be a “settled vendetta” that threatens the chance to defeat Paxton.

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• “Black voters are practical. So at the end of the day, I don’t know that they’re going to have to be the most excited,” — Outgoing Rep. Jasmine Crockett

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• “I don’t know who is in her social circles, or who she’s talking to,” — Kendall Scudder, chair of the Texas Democratic Party

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• “At some point, we have to ask who exactly you’re working for. Black folks across the country know what time it is and are turning out in super high numbers. James Talarico is a phenomenal candidate who is appealing across Texas. It’s gross to suggest that our voters will only come out for black candidates,” — Patrick Gaspard

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• “You’re not going to find a statewide campaign in recent memory in a general election that has done more to go out to talk to Black voters, even when the conversations were going to be tough, to meet them where they’re at, to hear their issues and then to advocate for them,” — Rep. Christian Menefee

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*Poll data*: A Fox News survey last month gave Talarico an 87%-13% advantage among Black voters, while a University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll found 60% of Black voters view Talarico favorably and 69% would support him if the Senate election were held today.

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