Texas Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a member of “the Squad,” announced Wednesday she is strongly considering a run for Senate to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn in the 2026 midterms.
Crockett, whose current congressional seat is threatened by a newly redrawn map, argues that she can shake up the crowded Democratic primary field, pointing to recent polling that places her firmly in the lead.
An October University of Houston-Texas Southern University poll showed Crockett leading a hypothetical Senate primary field with 31% of the vote among likely Democratic primary voters.
This puts her ahead of State Rep. James Talarico and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who both drew 25% support, and former Rep. Colin Allred with 16%.
A July National Republican Senatorial Committee poll similarly found Crockett with a commanding lead at 35%, with Allred at 20%.
Crockett, a two-term lawmaker and vocal Trump critic, stated that her decision will hinge on her ability to “expand the electorate” and win in the general election, noting the costly and often unsuccessful efforts of Democrats in previous statewide Texas races.
Her entry would further complicate a primary that already includes Talarico and Allred, who are currently locked in a competitive and expensive battle for the nomination. The Republican primary is also unsettled, with Sen. Cornyn facing challenges from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt.
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