State Representative James Talarico, a 36 – year – old former middle school teacher who had built a national reputation, won the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate in Texas. The Associated Press made the call early Wednesday after Tuesday’s election, with Talarico defeating U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett in one of the most closely monitored and costly primaries in the nation.
“Tonight, the people of our state gave this country a glimmer of hope,” Talarico told a group of supporters just after midnight when he held a dominant lead. “And a glimmer of hope can be a dangerous thing.”
His victory sets the stage for a November mid – term election that Democrats believe, perhaps more so than at any point in a generation, is achievable. The Republican primary is headed towards a tough runoff between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and the state’s attorney general Ken Paxton, a divisive figure plagued by legal and personal controversies. Party strategists from both sides admit that a long and acrimonious runoff could leave Republicans divided as the fall approaches.
With control of the Senate at stake and President Donald Trump facing low approval ratings, especially among younger, Hispanic, and Black voters, Texas has emerged as an unexpected yet enticing opportunity for the Democrats to gain a seat.
Talarico’s win is an initial success for Democrats who claim that the way to end the party’s 32 – year statewide losing streak lies in building coalitions. Although both candidates were on the progressive side of the party, Talarico presented himself as a Democrat who could communicate about faith and values to voters who have shifted to the right in recent years.
Throughout the campaign, polls indicated that Talarico was comfortably leading among white Democratic primary voters and was competitive among Hispanic voters, a crucial voting group in Texas politics. In the final weeks, his campaign dedicated time and resources to South Texas and Houston to reduce Crockett’s advantage among Latino voters.
Talarico also benefited from a late influx of money and attention. His appearance on Stephen Colbert’s late – night show in February made national news after Colbert alleged that CBS was preventing its broadcast on television. The online version received millions of views and led to a one – day fundraising windfall of $2.5 million. This boost in momentum came in a primary that was already breaking spending records. According to AdImpact, over $125 million was spent in the Democratic and Republican Senate races combined, making the Texas primary the most expensive in the country. Talarico and his allies significantly outspent Crockett on advertising, helped by a well – funded super PAC that received large donations from national donors, including those from the technology and philanthropic sectors. Some of the spending went through non – profit groups that do not disclose their donors.
Crockett, 44, a former public defender from Dallas known for her sharp exchanges with Republicans in congressional hearings, centered her campaign on mobilizing infrequent voters, especially Black Texans. She argued that Texas Democrats have failed for decades because they have not expanded the electorate. Her coalition was based in Black churches and grassroots groups in major cities, and she campaigned vigorously in the Rio Grande Valley in the hope of getting out Hispanic voters who rarely participate in primaries.
However, the contest ultimately became a test of competing theories of electability in a state that leans Republican. Talarico emphasized his record of flipping and holding a Republican – leaning state House district in Round Rock, arguing that he had already shown cross – over appeal. He [sentence incomplete in original], framing democracy in moral terms, and tried to reassure moderate Democrats and independents who were wary of excessive rhetoric.
The race between the candidates was mostly civil, as both pledged to support the eventual nominee, but it was not without controversy. An allegation that Talarico had privately referred to former Senate candidate Colin Allred as a “mediocre Black man” spread rapidly on social media and led to a strong rebuke from Allred, who now supports Crockett. This incident was widely seen as harming Talarico’s standing with some Black voters. Crockett also faced criticism for referring to Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, as “governor hot wheels” and for saying that Latino Trump supporters have a “slave mentality.”
In the end, Democratic voters seemed to agree with Talarico’s argument that winning in Texas requires not only energizing the base but also convincing voters who have become dissatisfied with Republican leadership. Polls throughout the winter showed little difference in how the two Democrats would perform in hypothetical match – ups against likely Republican opponents, but some surveys suggested that Talarico did slightly better among independents.
A prolonged runoff could leave Republicans divided and short on funds as November approaches.
Talarico [sentence incomplete in original] in February that the GOP infighting effectively gives Democrats a two – month grace period to unite and replenish their campaign funds. “They’re going to be even weaker after a brutal Republican primary that goes to a runoff. And so we’re going to have a head start,” he said.
