Jasmine Crockett Questions Talarico’s Texas Senate Chances, Says She Is Watching National Campaign Spending Despite Early Polling
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett remains unconvinced that Democratic nominee James Talarico can win Texas’ closely watched U.S. Senate race, despite several recent polls showing him narrowly leading Republican nominee Ken Paxton.
Asked by NBC News whether her former Democratic primary opponent could turn Texas blue in November, Crockett responded, “I don’t know.”
The Dallas congresswoman said polling alone will not convince her that the race is competitive. Instead, she is watching where national Democratic and Republican organizations direct their campaign money.
“I watch money,” Crockett told NBC News.
Crockett Watches Party Spending for Signs of a Competitive Race
Crockett noted that neither the National Republican Senatorial Committee nor the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee appears to be making a major investment in Texas.
“When I look at the money, if Republicans start spending money in Texas, then I’ll be convinced,” Crockett said. “But right now, national Republicans decided they wanted to dump money into North Carolina, as well as Georgia. That’s where they’re fighting, and national Democrats have not decided to dump money into Texas either.”
She said the absence of spending from both parties suggests their internal polling may not view Texas as a top battleground.
“Right now, neither one are investing, which tells me that their internals are saying the same thing,” Crockett said.
Her skepticism comes as three recent public polls have placed Talarico slightly ahead of Paxton. One survey from Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center showed Talarico leading 47% to 45%, though the difference remained within the poll’s margin of error.
Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988.
For now, Crockett said the contest still “looks like status quo.” She expects to have a clearer picture closer to Election Day.
“I won’t get on the ground to really start to feel it until maybe end of September, October, as I start to dig into which races I’m going to help out in, the races that I really feel like we can win,” she said.
Talarico Leaves Campaign Invitation Open
Talarico defeated Crockett in the March Democratic primary. Crockett endorsed the party’s nominee after conceding but has not committed to campaigning alongside him.
She has instead focused on helping Democratic candidates running for the U.S. House and Texas Legislature.
Talarico recently praised Crockett’s work supporting those down-ballot campaigns, calling it critical to building a stronger Democratic organization throughout the state.
“She is doing the work, and she has done more than enough to help us,” Talarico told theGrio. “Winning this campaign is my job as the Democratic nominee, and we’re grateful for the Congresswoman’s support.”
He said Crockett remains welcome to join him before Election Day.
“I would be honored to have the Congresswoman on the campaign trail,” Talarico said. “She’s one of the most talented campaigners in the country.”
Talarico Works to Build Support Among Black Texans
Crockett held a commanding advantage among Black voters during the Democratic primary, making her support potentially valuable to Talarico’s general-election campaign.
Recent polling, however, suggests Black voters are beginning to unite behind the Democratic nominee. A Texas Southern University survey found that 79% of likely Black voters planned to support Talarico, compared with 12% for Paxton. A separate New York Times/Siena poll cited by theGrio placed Talarico’s support among likely Black voters at 80%.
Talarico said his campaign will continue addressing concerns that disproportionately affect Black communities, including voting rights, maternal mortality, historically Black college funding, health care and housing affordability.
“We’re going to keep talking about the issues that are facing Black communities across the state,” Talarico said. “And we’re gonna do that with and for Black Texans all over this state.”
Despite the favorable early numbers, Crockett’s comments highlight the uncertainty surrounding Democrats’ latest attempt to break the Republican Party’s decades-long hold on statewide office—and whether national organizations ultimately consider Texas worth the investment.
