Crockett and Talarico Remain Only Democratic Contenders for 2026 Senate Rep. Jasmine Crockett and former state Rep. James Talarico are the sole Democrats on the ballot for the March 3 primary, a race in a state where no Democrat has won a statewide office in over three decades [1][2][3]. The first Democratic Senate debate was staged on Jan 24‑25 at the Texas AFL‑CIO convention, drawing hundreds of union members and signaling the start of a high‑stakes contest [2][3]. Both candidates framed the contest as a chance to flip a seat that has eluded Democrats for 30 years.

Debate Highlighted Divergent Campaign Tones and Voter‑Outreach Strategies Crockett presented a “viral, confrontational” style, emphasizing her civil‑rights lawyer background and targeting disaffected Black voters in Dallas [2][3]. Talarico adopted a softer, faith‑based narrative, citing his Presbyterian seminary training and aiming to attract rural voters dissatisfied with Republicans [2][3]. The contrast underscored distinct outreach plans despite shared policy positions on economics and health care.

Both Candidates Condemn ICE While Proposing Different Reform Paths In response to the Minneapolis border‑agent shooting, each denounced ICE as a “rogue organization” and called for “cleaning house” [2][3]. Crockett pledged to overhaul the agency without detailing funding mechanisms, whereas Talarico advocated withdrawing ICE money and reinvesting it in community programs [2][3]. Their statements drew criticism from Republican officials who accused them of seeking to abolish ICE [3].

Crockett Pushes Impeachment, Medicare for All, and Aggressive Policy Agenda Crockett argued there is “more than enough to impeach Donald Trump,” citing unlawful tariff use, and vowed to pursue impeachment if Democrats control the House [2][3]. She also backs Medicare for all, higher taxes on the wealthy, ending tariffs, and stricter gun‑safety laws, drawing on her civil‑rights and rural East Texas roots [1][2]. Talarico, while supporting higher taxes and tariff removal, stopped short of calling for Trump’s impeachment and highlighted universal basic income pilots [2].

Polls Show a Volatile Race With Leads Swapping Between Candidates An Emerson poll released early January gave Talarico a 9‑point advantage (47 % to 38 %), while a December Barbara Jordan Center survey showed Crockett ahead by 8 points (51 % to 43 %) [1]. The divergent results illustrate a tightly contested primary that could shift as the campaign intensifies.

Primary Winner Will Face Strong Republican Field in November The Democratic victor will meet the Republican nominee—likely incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Wesley Hunt, or Attorney General Ken Paxton—in the November general election, setting up a pivotal showdown in a heavily Republican state [2][3].