Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D-TX) defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in the Democrat primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas, according to reports.
The Associated Press is reporting that Talarico, 36, will now advance to the general election as Democrats attempt to win a Texas Senate seat for the first time in nearly four decades.
He will face the winner of the Republican primary runoff between Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The race is expected to be one of several closely watched Senate contests that could influence whether Republicans maintain control of the chamber in the upcoming midterm elections.
Republicans currently hold a 53–47 majority in the Senate.
Talarico Declares Momentum as Results Come In
Speaking to supporters late Tuesday night at a campaign event in Austin, Talarico signaled confidence in the outcome while noting that final results were still pending.
“Tonight, our campaign is shocking the nation,” Talarico said.
“We are still waiting for an official call, but we are confident in this movement we’ve built together.
“Every vote must be counted.
“Every voice must be heard.”
Earlier in the evening, Crockett urged supporters in Dallas not to expect immediate results due to reported voting issues.
“We don’t have any of the results because there was a lot of confusion today,” Crockett told supporters at an election watch party.
“I won’t be back tonight because I have no idea of when we’re going to get results.
“And I fully anticipate it won’t be until tomorrow.”
Crockett argued that some voters may have been disenfranchised and blamed Republicans for the problems.
“That people have been disenfranchised,” Crockett said.
Talarico also raised concerns about voting disruptions.
“Voter suppression in my home county and in Congresswoman Crockett’s home county,” Talarico said.
Race Became Heated in Final Weeks
The primary campaign between Talarico and Crockett intensified in the weeks leading up to Election Day, with race and campaign rhetoric becoming key flashpoints.
Talarico faced criticism after an influencer alleged he referred to former Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) as a “mediocre black man.”
The influencer, Morgan Thompson — known on TikTok as @morga_tt — claimed Talarico told her during a private conversation that he had “signed up to run against a mediocre Black man, not a formidable, intelligent, Black woman.”
Talarico disputed the characterization and said his comments were taken out of context.
“In my praise of Congresswoman Crockett, I described Congressman Allred’s method of campaigning as mediocre — but his life and service are not,” Talarico said in a statement.
“I would never attack him on the basis of race.”
Allred responded publicly to the controversy.
“James, if you want to compliment black women, just do it. Just do it,” Allred said in a social media video.
“Don’t do it while also tearing down a black man.”
Crockett also weighed in on the dispute.
“He made it clear that he did not take allegations of an attack on him as simply another day in the neighborhood,” Crockett said.
“It was a moment that he decided to stand for all people who have been targeted and talked about in a demeaning way as our country continues to be divided.”
Later in the campaign, Crockett accused a pro-Talarico super PAC of altering her skin tone in an advertisement.
She described the ad as “straight up racist.”
Crockett also rejected claims that she would struggle to win a statewide election.
She argued such criticism was a “dog whistle” that was “tearing down a black woman,” adding that she was the “most qualified” candidate in the race.
Rising Profile for Talarico
Talarico first won election to the Texas House in 2018 after flipping a Republican-held district in the Austin suburbs.
During the Senate campaign, he emphasized his ability to attract support from voters across party lines while questioning whether Crockett could win a competitive general election.
Talarico also gained national attention through social media appearances, viral TikTok videos, and a widely viewed appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Rogan even suggested he should consider a future presidential run.
His profile rose further during the redistricting standoff in Texas last year, when Talarico and dozens of Democrat lawmakers temporarily left the state in protest of a Trump-backed redistricting plan.
General Election Showdown Ahead
With the Democrat primary decided, attention now turns to the Republican runoff between Cornyn and Paxton.
The winner will face Talarico in what Democrats hope could become a competitive statewide contest.
Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since the late 1980s, making the upcoming general election a major test for both parties.
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