The most striking headline of the week: Democratic U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett announced on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, that she is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas. NBC News confirmed that Crockett filed her candidacy and that her name appeared on the Texas Democratic Party’s official list of candidates. A source familiar with the filing said the information was accurate.
Filing Deadline and Primary Schedule
Candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the March primary must submit their paperwork by 6 p.m. on Dec. 8. The primary itself is set for Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Texas voters can request a ballot by mail as early as Jan. 1, 2026, and the final day to register for the primary is Feb. 2, 2026. Early voting starts Feb. 17, 2026. Winners who secure more than 50 % of the vote advance directly to the midterm election on Nov. 3, 2026; otherwise a runoff will be held on May 26, 2026.
The Incumbent and GOP Primary
The seat Crockett seeks is currently held by Republican Senator John Cornyn, who has served since 2002 and is running for a fifth six‑year term. Cornyn faces a tough GOP primary, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt also in the race. Cornyn has been harsh on Crockett, calling her “theatrical and ineffective” and claiming she does not represent most Texans. He added, “Her time in Congress has been marked by deeply unserious public statements, little to no actual work for her constituents and over‑the‑top rhetoric and childish insults. She is radical, theatrical and ineffective.”
Democratic Rivals Enter the Field
Crockett’s entry expands the Democratic field. Former Rep. James Talarico, a former teacher who gained national attention for viral social media posts challenging Republican policies, will face her in the March primary. Talarico welcomed the new challenger, saying, “We’re building a movement in Texas — fueled by record‑breaking grassroots fundraising and 10,000 volunteers who are putting in the work to defeat the billionaire mega‑donors and puppet politicians who have taken over our state. Our movement is rooted in unity over division — so we welcome Congresswoman Crockett into this race.”
Earlier that Monday, former Rep. Colin Allred announced he was ending his Senate campaign to pursue a House comeback. Ahmad R. Hassan of Katy has also filed to run for Senate as a Democrat.
Allred’s Call for Unity
Allred explained that a divisive Democratic primary would weaken the party’s chances against the “danger posed to our communities and our Constitution by Donald Trump and one of his Republican bootlickers.” He said the split would prevent the Democratic Party from entering the critical election unified.
Kamau Marshall’s Strategic View
Kamau Marshall, a Democratic consultant who has worked for Allred and other Texas campaigns, praised Allred’s decision. He noted that Crockett is a “solid national figure” with a large social media following and a frequent presence on cable news, which could help in the primary. However, Marshall emphasized that the real challenge is building a coalition that can win in November. He said, “It’s going to be a sprint from now until the primary, but in Texas, you have to think about the voter base overall in November, too. Who can do the work on the ground? After the primary, who can win in the general? … It’s about building complicated coalitions in a big state.”
Marshall also pointed out that Talarico must raise money and build name recognition to transition from the Texas House to a statewide candidate. He added that a winning Democratic candidate would need to energize Black voters in metro Houston and Dallas, win diverse suburbs and exurbs, and secure enough rural votes, especially among Latinos in the Rio Grande Valley.
Historical Context for Texas Democrats
Texas Democrats have struggled to close the gap in statewide races. In 2018, Beto O’Rourke challenged Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, winning 48.3 % of the vote after campaigning in all 254 counties—a statewide deficit of 215,000 votes. In 2022, O’Rourke ran for governor and lost to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by more than 880,000 votes, a nearly 11‑percentage‑point margin. In 2024, Allred lost the Senate general election by nearly 960,000 votes, an 8.5‑point gap.
Allred’s new House district is part of the congressional map approved by the GOP‑run legislature earlier this year, a map drawn to favor Republicans. The district includes areas Allred represented from 2019‑2025, though most of it is currently represented by Rep. Marc Veasey, who plans to run in a neighboring district.
The Bigger Picture
Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to wrest control from Republicans in the next November elections. Texas, a state that President Donald Trump won last year, remains a battleground where the party has long hoped to make the state more competitive after decades of Republican dominance.
Key Takeaways
- Jasmine Crockett filed for the Texas Senate seat on Dec. 8, 2025, joining a crowded Democratic field.
- The Democratic primary will be held March 3, 2026, with filing deadlines and voter registration dates set for early 2026.
- Republican incumbent John Cornyn faces a tough primary and has criticized Crockett’s congressional record.
- Former Rep. James Talarico and Ahmad R. Hassan also entered the race, while Allred withdrew to run for House.
- Texas Democrats must build broad coalitions across urban, suburban, and rural areas to close historic gaps.
The unfolding Texas Senate race underscores the strategic importance of unity and grassroots momentum for Democrats as they aim to shift the state’s political balance.
