Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett launched a campaign Monday (Dec. 8) for the U.S. Senate in Texas. In her announcement, she warned President Donald Trump, “I’m coming for you.” Will she help Democrats with their long-shot at reclaiming the Senate majority during next year’s midterm elections? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, overnight and on Tuesday, her bid became a hot topic on social media.
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She’s Giving Texas Senator? Jasmine Crockett Enters The Race
Jasmine Crockett has been one of Congress’ most outspoken Democrats. With that, she has also become a frequent target of GOP attacks and a target of Donald Trump. Still, she hasn’t been deterred from aiming higher. She jumped into the U.S. Senate race on the final day of qualifying in Texas.
“As a candidate who is constantly attacked and seen as a threat, it’s because I am,” Jasmine Crockett told supporters in Dallas. “I’m the only one who has gone toe to toe with Donald Trump, and there’s a reason he’s always got my name in his mouth.”
If you didn’t know, Crockett is a civil rights attorney, a former public defender and once the youngest Black Democratic county chair in Texas. She served in the Texas House before winning the first of her two terms in Congress in 2000. She’s built her national profile with a candid style and viral moments on Capitol Hill. Crockett has traded insults with Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and also mocked Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott — who uses a wheelchair — as “Gov. Hot Wheels.” She later said she was referring to Abbott’s policy of using “planes, trains and automobiles” to send thousands of immigrants in Texas illegally to Democratic-led cities.
Who Else Crockett’s Competition?
Jasmine Crockett is seeking the Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn, who is running for reelection in the GOP-dominated state. Cornyn was first elected to the Senate in 2002. He faces the toughest GOP primary of his career against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. Cornyn told reporters at the U.S. Capitol he was eager for the chance to face Crockett.
“I think that would be a lot of fun,” he said. “She just says such inflammatory and crazy things.”
Jasmine’s announcement came hours after former Rep. Colin Allred ended his own campaign for the Democratic nomination. Instead, he’s attempting a House comeback bid. So, in the March 3 primary, Jasmine be going up against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. James is former teacher with a rising national profile fueled by viral social media posts. Such posts challenge Republican policies such as private school vouchers and requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
Rep. Talarico raised almost $6.3 million in the three weeks after he formally organized his primary campaign committee in September. Campaign finance reports showed that he had nearly $5 million in cash on hand at the end of the month. Talarico welcomed Jasmine Crockett to the Democratic primary but pointed to his fundraising and said he has 10,000 volunteers. For context, Crockett raised about $2.7 million for her House campaign fund from July through September. She ended September with $4.6 million.
“Our movement is rooted in unity over division,” he said in a statement.
Rep. Jasmine Calls Out History & Future With Trump
Before her 43-minute speech, Jasmine Crockett’s campaign played a video of her with audio of Trump criticizing her playing over it. In the clip, he mocked the idea that she’s represents the Democratic Party’s future. Trump has called her a “low IQ person.” In response, Crockett said she would agree to take an IQ test against the president.
Then, Jasmine Crockett addressed the president directly several times on Monday.
“You better get to work because I’m coming for you,” she said. “I’m not going away. I’m not giving up.”
Crockett told her cheering crowd in Dallas to “tune out” those who say she can’t win in the GOP-dominated state because she is Black, a woman or a Democrat.
Her party needs a net gain of four Senate seats to wrest control from Republicans next November. That’s when most of the seats up for reelection, particularly in states like Texas, which President Donald Trump won last year. Democrats have long hoped to make Texas more competitive after decades of Republican dominance, per AP.
RELATED: Bowing Out? Jasmine Crockett Reacts After Marjorie Taylor Greene Reveals She’s Resigning From Congressional Seat In 2026 (VIDEO)
Associated Press writers Bill Barrow and John Hanna contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
