Dallas Democrat Jasmine Crockett is expected to launch a campaign for U.S. Senate before today’s 6 p.m. filing deadline, positioning herself for a high-profile primary contest in 2026.
If she files, the North Texas congresswoman will join an already competitive Democratic field that includes former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Rep. James Talarico, each aiming to challenge longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn.
Crockett, who represents Texas’ 30th Congressional District, has quickly built a national profile during her first term in the U.S. House.
Her expected entry adds a new dynamic to a race where Democrats are searching for the candidate with the strongest statewide appeal. Cornyn, first elected in 2002, has won four terms but has not yet announced whether he intends to seek reelection.
The Texas Democratic primary will shape the party’s strategy heading into a pivotal election year, and today’s deadline will lock in which candidates make the ballot.
A Newsweek analysis shows she would face an uphill climb, because, as they wrote, "However, any Democrat—including Crockett—would face difficulties in Texas, which has voted for Republican presidential candidates since the 1980s. The state backed President Donald Trump with 56.1 percent of the vote in November 2024 and Senator Ted Cruz with 53 percent of the vote."
The outlet added: "According to the betting platform Polymarket, in a hypothetical Democratic primary, Talarico would win 45 percent of the vote, Crockett would follow closely with 42 percent, and Allred would trail with 17 percent.