Talarico wins Texas Senate Democratic nomination while Cornyn and Paxton head to Republican runoff

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Wed Mar 4, 2026, 04:06 AM - Edit history (3)

Source: AP

Updated 3:51 AM EST, March 4, 2026


DALLAS (AP) - State Rep. James Talarico topped Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in an expensive and fiercely contested Texas Senate Democratic primary that once again has the party dreaming of a big upset in November.

Who Talarico will face depends on a May runoff between longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn and MAGA favorite Ken Paxton - a race expected to get increasingly nasty over coming months and could hinge on whether or not President Donald Trump offers an endorsement.

Texas, along with North Carolina and Arkansas, on Tuesday kicked off midterm elections with control of Congress at stake and against the backdrop of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. No Democrat has won a statewide race in the reliably Republican state in over 30 years, but in a statement after his victory, Talarico proclaimed "We're about to take back Texas."

Crockett's campaign said she planned to sue over voting issues in Dallas and she spoke only briefly on Tuesday night to warn that "people have been disenfranchised."

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/texas-election-senate-crockett-talarico-cornyn-paxton-hunt-4d2fa601c0dab451c2cbd7c6f1483547

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Article updated.

Original article -

Updated 2:45 AM EST, March 4, 2026


DALLAS (AP) - State Rep. James Talarico topped Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in an expensive and fiercely contested Texas Senate Democratic primary that once again has the party dreaming of a big upset in November.

Who Talarico will face depends on a May runoff between longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn and MAGA favorite Ken Paxton - a race expected to get increasingly nasty over coming months and could hinge on whether or not President Donald Trump offers an endorsement.

Texas, along with North Carolina and Arkansas, on Tuesday kicked off midterm elections with control of Congress at stake and against the backdrop of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. 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."

"This is proof that there is something happening in Texas,� he said, adding that the state �gave this country a little bit of hope. Crockett's campaign said she planned to sue over voting issues in Dallas and she spoke only briefly on Tuesday night to warn that "people have been disenfranchised."

[Skittles]

1. I urge all Jasmine voters to get behind Talarico

do all we can

[Witnessof Trump]

2. Sadly it looks like it'll be Cornyn again

Paxton and he will have a run off, but we need new blood.

[Akakoji]

4. Either way

Talarico will win

[Witnessof Trump]

6. You don't know Texas

[Pototan]

14. Fuck Trump

I can't help noticing your screen name.

I was wondering what you "witnessed of Trump". His raping of a 13-year-old girl or shitting his pants?

Fuck Trump

[A-Schwarzenegger]

15. What do they call it these days?

I dont think it's tombstoned any more. Exeunted?
Flanged out? Recycled? Hurtled for the exit?

[Skittles]

16. most of us do

we are well aware Texas has more than its fair share of fake conservative "Christians"

[Skittles]

5. they will tear each other to pieces

and there IS no "new blood" with repukes, they are all Trump humping assholes

[Callie1979]

18. Why? Talarcio polled better than Crockett.

[bearsfootball516]

26. The majority of Hunt voters are expected to go to Paxton.

He'll be the favorite in the runoff.

[pat_k]

3. He also said: "Every vote must be counted. Every voice must be heard...

...The voter suppression in my home county, and in Congresswoman Crockett's home county underscores the gravity of this moment."

[hamsterjill]

7. If Crockett sues, she needs to be very clear of her intent

She does not need to drive a wedge between Democratic voters. She needs to sue to fix a problem with the system; not to try to win and mud sling Talarico.

I think she needs to be very careful in her next move.

The voting problems definitely need to be addressed by both of them but the math shows that she would not have won. She needs to throw her support behind Talarico and encourage unity in November.

[ananda]

10. They should both sue together.

Solidarity would help.

[LisaM]

12. Yes, I agree.

The stories I heard were upsetting.

[BidenRocks]

8. Did Talarico benefit from

The Colbert Bump?

[LiberalLovinLug]

9. I think so.

[ananda]

11. No question.

That was a gift that kept on giving.

[Skittles]

17. partly

but he was doing well even before Jasmine jumped in

[TexasBushwhacker]

24. And Jasmine had been on Colbert many times

Kimmel too.

But as a lifelong (69) Texan, if you think Texas isn't ready for a Democratic senator again, it's REALLY not ready for a Democratic black female senator. I voted for someone I thought could win the state. I voted for Talarico.

[underpants]

22. My thought at the time and now. Yes.

[Timeflyer]

25. That's what I'm thinking. Plus, she ain't got no penis, and she's black.

[democrank]

13. Jasmine Crockett certainly understands her next step will have consequences.

She’s politically savvy enough to stand up for herself without permanently damaging Talarico. I hope she does sue to highlight Republican determination to suppress voting rights.

[Callie1979]

19. Excellent news from Texas. Bring it home in Nov. He gives us the BEST chance.

[otchmoson]

20. Two good candidates

but only one can win. I liked them both, but the thought of losing Jasmine in the House was disturbing. With her legal mind and her out spokenness, she could do an absolutely terrific job chairing a committee to hold the law-breaking members accountable. And she certainly would not be shy. I can always dream that she gets even more adept at leadership, and could soon replace Moses Mike as leader--and 2nd in line to the presidency. From where I sit (and I'm not in Texas) this looks like a win-win.

[mucifer]

21. I hope Talarico and Crockett can get together, put their egos aside and

come up with a plan to fight the corrupt system.

The reason for the chaos is to divide us and let these shenanigans happen again and again. They want dems to question the results and stay home in the general election.

They might succeed.

[PCB66]

23. Great Opportunity for Democrats in Texas now.

Huge civil war going on with the Republican Party in Texas. It’s the MAGA folks vs Bush Republicans. Team Bush folks took it in the ass last night in Texas.

Democrats should do well in the mid terms with the dissent.

[kcoates]

27. Adelson

Talarico taking so much money from Republican trump loving Miriam Adelson, new owner of Dallas mavs, is why I didn't vote for him. I gave him money in the beginning but that was game changer for me. I will vote for him in November still would have preferred Crockett!