Democratic state lawmaker James Talarico defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett in Texas’s closely watched Democratic Senate primary, according to Decision Desk HQ, emerging as the party’s nominee in a state where Democrats have struggled for decades to win statewide office.
Talarico’s victory marks a significant moment for Texas Democrats, who see the rising political figure as their best opportunity in years to compete in the deep-red state.
Speaking to supporters shortly after midnight at a campaign event, Talarico celebrated the momentum behind his campaign while noting that votes were still being counted.
“Tonight our campaign is shocking the nation. We are still waiting for an official call, but we are confident in the movement we’ve built together,” Talarico told the crowd. “Every, every vote must be counted. Every voice must be heard.”
Decision Desk HQ officially called the race several hours later. As of Wednesday morning, Talarico held a lead of 53 percent to Crockett’s 46 percent with about 90 percent of the vote reported.
After the race was called around 3 a.m. EST, Talarico issued a brief statement signaling his focus on the general election ahead.
“We’re about to take back Texas,” he said.
Crockett, a congresswoman who entered the race with higher name recognition and a reputation for viral moments in the House, conceded Wednesday morning. In a statement, she congratulated Talarico and urged Democrats to unite behind the party’s nominee as the general election approaches.
“This morning I called James and congratulated him on becoming the Senate nominee,” Crockett said. “Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person.”
“With the primary behind us, Democrats must rally around our nominees and win. I’m committed to doing my part and will continue working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot,” she added.
Even before the race was formally called, several prominent Democrats publicly congratulated Talarico and expressed optimism about his candidacy.
“Senator Talarico has a nice ring to it. And we’re all-in to make it a reality,” Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) wrote on the social platform X.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) also praised the nominee, writing, “James is a good man and he’ll be a great Senator. Texas, let’s do this.”
After the result became official, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee released a statement touting Talarico’s background and framing him as a candidate capable of appealing to a broad range of Texans.
“As an eighth-generation Texan, former middle school teacher, and Presbyterian seminarian, James will be a fighter for Texans from all walks of life and of all political stripes,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and DSCC Chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in a joint statement.
The Democratic leaders added that voters in November would have the opportunity to elect what they described as a champion for working people.
During the weeks leading up to the primary, controversy surrounding a segment on CBS’s “Late Show” appeared to give Talarico additional momentum as the campaign entered its final stretch.
Crockett began the race with greater name recognition, and several polls ahead of the primary showed her leading the contest. But Talarico ultimately secured a majority of votes on Tuesday, allowing him to avoid a runoff election and claim the nomination outright.
Across the aisle, Republicans are still determining their nominee. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are heading to a May 26 runoff after neither candidate surpassed the 50 percent threshold required to win the primary outright.
Republicans’ Senate campaign arm had strongly supported Cornyn ahead of the primary. In a memo released last month, the group cited internal polling showing the incumbent leading Talarico by three points in a potential general election matchup, while Paxton trailed Talarico by one point in the same survey.
Despite Democratic optimism, flipping the seat remains a significant challenge. Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide in decades, though some party strategists have compared the current race to the 2018 Senate contest.
In that race, Democrat Beto O’Rourke came within just a few percentage points of defeating Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, generating national attention and record fundraising.
Cornyn referenced that comparison last month, warning that a Democratic victory could represent “the first crack in the red wall.”
“He’s pretty slick and — with media and obviously drawing crowds — he’s offering change,” Cornyn said of Talarico, though he argued that the state lawmaker’s message would not resonate with most Texans in the general election.
The Texas contest has already broken records as the most expensive Senate primary in U.S. history. Political observers expect spending to climb even higher in the months ahead as Republicans move to defend a seat long considered safely in their column.
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