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By Anna Commander
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Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett signaled that she is not yet committed to actively supporting James Talarico's Texas Senate campaign, telling The Dallas Morning News that she has “no idea."
Crockett’s comments come after a closely watched and competitive primary election in March, where Talarico, a Texas state representative, emerged as the party’s nominee over Crockett. He now faces Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in November's general election.
Newsweek reached out to Crockett's office and Talarico's campaign via email on Friday for comment.
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What To Know
The uncertainty surrounding Crockett’s support comes as Texas Democrats gather for their state convention ahead of the general election.
Crockett told The Dallas Morning News that she does not plan to attend the convention and is focused on down-ballot races across the country. When asked if she plans to actively support Talarico's campaign by the outlet, Crockett said, “I have no idea. I am more focused on down-ballot races in general.”
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Questions about the relationship between the two Democrats were likely heightened by remarks made about Crockett's invitation to participate in the Texas Democratic Party convention.
Crockett said she had received what she classified as an “afterthought invite” earlier this month.
“I had a missed call that I've not returned, nor have I listened to the message from Talarico,” Crockett told The News. “It seemed like an afterthought invite. I can't say for sure, because I haven't listened to it.”
Party officials later somewhat disputed that characterization, saying she has been invited since March. Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder said the party reached out to Crockett's staff, and she has had the invitation for months.
“She has certainly been invited to the convention and continues to have a standing invite,” Scudder said. “We would love to have her there.”
Talarico's campaign told The News that he called her and left a message floating the idea of her as the keynote speaker.
Crockett also questioned whether Democrats have fully united behind Talarico and the party's statewide ticket, particularly among Black voters. She suggested that the absence of a Black candidate in a major statewide race could affect enthusiasm, the outlet reports.
“I've not heard a bunch of kumbaya,” she told The News. “People don't seem to be convinced at this point, but there's a lot of time between now and November.”
Gordon Abner, associate professor at the University of Texas, told Newsweek on Friday, "I think Talarico needs all the support he can get, especially from Black Democrats and Black Democratic women. They are the most consistent base of the party. Not having clear and strong support from Jasmine Crockett will absolutely hurt him. I also think it is absolutely correct that it is unclear how strongly Black voters will come out to support him."
Abner continued: "Talarico is a new name, and it would be foolish to assume his name recognition is as strong among older Black voters as it might be among young Black voters. Turnout will be particularly crucial in this election given that it is a midterm election. So, I wouldn’t believe that Talarico has strong support from Black voters, or anyone really, until I see them turn out for him. Assumptions are always dangerous, and polls can easily misjudge who will turn out."
At the end of last month, Talarico landed a key endorsement from Texas Organizing Project (TOP), a progressive group in the Lonestar State that previously backed Crockett. In the organization's release announcing the endorsement, Talarico said, “I am honored to earn this endorsement, and I want to be direct: I do not win this race without working-class Black and Latino Texans. Full stop. They have the most to lose if we fail, and the most to gain if we win. TOP has spent over 15 years building the kind of deep, trusting relationships with those communities that no campaign can manufacture in a few months. That infrastructure is irreplaceable.
“Winning Texas means meeting people where they are. In their neighborhoods, at their doors, in their language. TOP does that work better than anyone in this state. I am committed to earning the trust of every community TOP organizes with, and I will spend every day between now and November proving that this campaign is fighting for a Texas for all.”
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Grant Davis Reeher, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Newsweek on Friday that, "This may be a preview of the party’s dysfunctions to come in 2028, if it can’t sort this kind of problem out. Crockett’s comments were damning in their absence of praise or support, and certainly do not help the party’s cause in the general election. She has 'no idea' whether she’ll support a fellow Democrat running against Ken Paxton? Really?"
Reeher continued: "Each candidate in the Democratic primary tried to make the case that they’d be the better choice for the general election, so I’m not sure why she is apparently taking offense at Talarico’s campaign for making that argument. The comments about the nature of the invitation to the convention appear petty and self-serving. As a Member of Congress, Crockett made a political living out of provocative comments that stirred up a portion of the party’s base and alienated others, so perhaps this set of comments isn’t that surprising."
Both Crockett and Talarico have publicly stressed the importance of defeating Republicans in November. Whether Crockett ultimately takes an active role in Talarico’s campaign could become an important test of Democratic unity as the party looks to turn primary enthusiasm into a coordinated statewide effort.
What Recent Polling Shows Ahead of General Election
A poll from Quantus Insights shows Paxton leading Talarico 45 percent to 43 percent in the November election, with 7 percent undecided and 4 percent backing another candidate. The poll was taken among 800 likely Texas voters from June 3 to June 4, with a margin of error of 3.5 percent.
A Texas Pulse Poll, conducted by ReconMR and the Texas A&M Bush School, shows Talarico and Paxton tied at 46 percent, with 3 percent of respondents saying they would back someone else in November. That poll was conducted from June 1 to June 4 among 807 likely Texas voters with a margin of error of 4 percent.
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