Jasmine Crockett Officially Enters Texas Senate Race

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) has officially entered the Texas Senate race.

The progressive firebrand filed paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate, and she now becomes state Rep. James Talarico’s (D-TX) sole opponent after former Rep. Colin Allred announced that he would exiting the race to instead pursue Texas’s newly redrawn House District 33.

Shortly after news about Rep. Crockett’s candidacy became public, state Rep. Talarico issued a statement, welcoming her into the race.

“We’re building a movement in Texas – fueled by record-breaking grassroots fundraising and 10,000 volunteers who are putting in the work to defeat the billionaire mega-donors and puppet politicians who have taken over our state,” the senatorial hopeful commented. “Our movement is rooted in unity over division – so we welcome Congresswoman Crockett into the race.”

Rep. Crockett first hinted at a possible senate run in October, noting that she was "strongly" considering a run to unseat Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). Despite her national recognition, Governor Gregg Abbott believes that Rep. Crockett would get "crushed" in a statewide race, suggesting that her "progressive socialist agenda" would not appeal to the state at large.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is vying for the senate seat in a hotly contested Republican primary also weighed in on the Texas Democrat's entry, dubbing her "Crazy Crockett" and bashing Senator Cornyn for "trying to force the national GOP to light $100 million on fire to save his failing campaign."

Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) is also running to unseat Senator Cornyn, having been the last candidate to enter the Republican primary.