House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) openly celebrated Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s (D-TX) decision to run for U.S. Senate, telling reporters that he is “absolutely delighted” the outspoken progressive is entering the high-stakes Texas race.
Asked whether Crockett’s candidacy concerns him or endangers Republican control of the seat, Johnson couldn’t hide his amusement.
He rubbed his hands together, smiled, and delivered a blunt assessment.
“I’m absolutely delighted that Jasmine Crockett is running for Senate in Texas,” Johnson said.
“I think it’s one of the greatest things that’s happened to the Republican Party in a long, long time.”
He added that Crockett, along with radical New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, represents exactly what Democrats have become.
“She is the face of the Democratic Party,” Johnson said. “Good luck with that.”
Johnson said he wants Crockett to have “the largest, loudest microphone that she can, every single day.”
He argues that her far-left messaging is completely out of step with Texas voters.
“We are going to elect another Republican senator in Texas,” Johnson said.
“Texas is a red state…
“The people of Texas are commonsense Americans, and what Jasmine is trying to sell will not be purchased by the folks of Texas.”
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Democrats Fire Back, Accuse Johnson of ‘Distraction’
House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA) responded hours later, claiming Johnson’s comments were meant to distract from shrinking GOP margins in the House.
“I think Speaker Johnson is trying to do anything he can to distract from the majority… that we see dwindling,” Aguilar said.
“He just can’t keep a hold of it.”
Aguilar insisted Johnson would rather talk about a Texas Senate race than acknowledge recent GOP losses in Georgia and in the Miami mayoral contest.
“So, the more that Speaker Johnson wants to talk about the national landscape and the Senate environment, I absolutely support because he’s losing his majority next November, if not sooner,” Aguilar said.
Crockett Launches Senate Campaign as Anti-Trump Crusade
Crockett, one of the House’s most aggressive opponents of President Donald Trump, formally entered the race on Monday, just before the filing deadline.
The contest could determine Senate control next year.
In a fiery launch speech in Dallas, Crockett framed her candidacy as a direct challenge to Trump.
“I’m done watching the American dream on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug,” she said.
“The gloves have been off, and now I’m jumping into the ring.”
Crockett said polling convinced her the numbers favored her candidacy.
“I could have played it safe and continued serving in the United States House… but I don’t choose to do that, because, Texas, this moment we’re in now is life or death,” she said.
Borrowing a slogan from former President Barack Obama, she declared:
“Many people asked, ‘Can we win this race in November?’
“I’m here to say, ‘Yes, we can!’”
A Primary Battle Takes Shape
Crockett will face state Rep. James Talarico, another rising Democrat, in what is expected to be a competitive primary.
On the Republican side, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) faces serious challenges from Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), setting up a potential three-way showdown.
But if Speaker Johnson is correct, Democrats may have already handed Republicans the opponent they were hoping for.
READ MORE – Jasmine Crockett: ‘Law Enforcement Isn’t to Prevent Crime’
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