James Talarico takes down firebrand Rep. Jasmine Crockett in bitter Dem Texas Senate primary
By
Josh Christenson and
Published March 4, 2026
Updated March 4, 2026, 6:30 a.m. ET
Democratic Texas state legislator James Talarico emerged victorious Tuesday over loudmouth left-wing Rep. Jasmine Crockett following a ferocious US Senate primary marred in its final hours by allegations of voter suppression from both candidates.
With 91% of the expected vote tallied, Talarico, 36, had 52.9% compared to 45.7% for Crockett, 44, avoiding a bruising runoff campaign that would have lasted close to another three months.
“We’re about to take back Texas,” proclaimed Talarico, who will face the winner of the May 26 Republican runoff between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“We are not just trying to win an election,” Talarico told supporters in Austin before the race was called. “We are trying to fundamentally change our politics. And it’s working.”
Texas voters have not elected a Democrat to the Senate since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988.
Dan Crenshaw defeated by Cruz-backed state lawmaker in Texas GOP primary, boosting MAGA clout –
My relationship with Trump is good,’ Crenshaw told the Houston Chronicle ahead of Tuesday’s primary
Steve Toth, Cruzed to win, a state representative and businessman, following years of turmoil between Crenshaw and the MAGA faction of the Republican Party that questioned Crenshaw’s loyalty to Trump.
The 2nd Congressional District primary that ended Tuesday with Toth beating out Crenshaw drew a sharp line within the Republican Party. Crenshaw was not formally endorsed by President Donald Trump or Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, endorsed Toth after he reportedly got into a tiff with Crenshaw at the airport over whether the senator was working against the representative’s re-election.