James Talarico won the Democratic nomination for a US Senate seat in Texas on Tuesday, capping a remarkable rise from state lawmaker and seminary student to the party’s standard-bearer in one of the key races of the 2026 midterm cycle.
With his blend of faith-based populism, bipartisan appeal and generational energy, Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a firebrand beloved by the party’s base but who struggled to dispel concerns that she could defeat a Republican in a state that has not elected a Democrat statewide in more than 30 years.
A jubilant Talarico told supporters in Austin before the race was called: “We are not just trying to win an election. We are trying to fundamentally change our politics. And it’s working.”
Primary elections are where a political party selects their candidate to run in the general election in the fall. Jasmine Crockett will not be on the ballot as a representative of the Democrat party. She could still run in the general, but it would be for a different party or, if Texas allows it, an independent. Some people do that, but it’s usually considered a real dick move, as it tends to split the vote and make it more likely for the opposing party to win. It’s basically a good way to end your political career for good.
So she’s out of politics??
She still has to finish out her current term in the House of Representatives. She just won’t be continuing her run for the Senate. I don’t think she can run for re-election to the House now, since she would have to take the place of Frederick Haynes, who won the primary for her seat. If she wants to run for another position in the fall, it would likely be something at the state level.
She’ll probably run for another position. Yet to be seen.
heard she has to change districts.