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"

[stonecutter357]

29. Witnessof Trump "Sounds Like A Cult" !

[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.

[Vogon_Glory]

54. Maybe not...

The cray-crays in the Texas Republican Party have been playing “Can you top this” games during the last couple of cycles while trying to drive the state party even further to the right. If enough of the crazies turn out for the run-off and more moderate Texas Republicans stay home (Moderate is a relative term when it comes to comes to Texas Republicans), Cornyn could lose and Talarico will have more than a fighting chance at winning the senate race.

[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."

[efhmc]

49. I was hoping he would win because of the racial misogyny that is still vigorously alive in my state. Sadly.

Talarico has at least has a better chance but not holding my breath. (Would be nice if spell check could have his name correctly spelled.)

[pat_k]

50. For me, it's because he's a unique voice against Christian Nationalism at a time...

... it is an existential threat. I think either of them can win and hope Jasmine goes after Cruz in 2030. I also hope she stumps for Talarico.

[efhmc]

58. I think that is a strong message and so hope it gets out. I adore them both. We Dems need many of their voices,

especially here in Texas. Way too many Baptists. I find it interesting that each of them have Baptist preachers in their family lines.

[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.

[moonshinegnomie]

30. same

i like jasmine but dont think she can win a general election. to many rascists in texas. thats why i voted for talarico

[TexasBushwhacker]

53. And sexists!

Don't forget how poorly Hillary Clinton did. Biden didn't win but he did better than her.

[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!

[displacedvermoter]

28. I fear a Fetterman happening, I fear.

[moonshinegnomie]

31. talarico is far from a fetterman

he was one of the leaders of the democratic walkout when they redistricted last fall.

[displacedvermoter]

33. Good to hear

Heard a lot about Fetterman's progressive chops.

[LtTx]

32. Can you specify why

You think he is like Fetterman?

[displacedvermoter]

34. A fear I have,

though I am not sure it makes a difference, as I have more fear that no Democrat in Texas will win a statewide election, perhaps for another decade.

[TBF]

40. Where did that "fear" come from?

I don't know who started it, but he is much more like a Bill Clinton than anywhere near a Fetterman. It's a ridiculous rumor and one that we shouldn't be giving credence to on DU.

Even his origin story is similar to Clinton's with the single mother, his academic prowess at UT and Harvard. If you want to compare him to someone there's your parallel.

[displacedvermoter]

42. I fear that people who take money from gambling

entities and then run a "religiously" framed political campaign are kind of playing fast and loose. Especially gambling money donated by someone who has gotten a Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump.

And yeah, I guess you can compare him to Clinton, or Obama for that matter. Smart and ambitious and hard working, moderates whose pussy footing with big business and finance -- Clinton's -- and willingness to let Bush-era war crimes and corruption go unpunished -- Obama's -- helped to put us in the current state of things.

I hope he wins, I really do. I understand he is as progressive as we can hope for, the great Beato buildup having long passed. But I loathe the idea that we need a religious revival in the Party, especially one funded in part by Las Vegas MAGA money.

[TBF]

43. Have you also looked into the money

from Bitcoin and pharma that certain other candidates attracted. Or are you solely looking at taking down this candidate. That's a rhetorical question, my friend, your concern is clear and noted.

[displacedvermoter]

45. I am not working to take anyone down

I think the whole political finance system is so corrupt that we are screwed all the way around.

I hope he wins, preferred Crockett, though I know she had no hope to win the Senate seat. Don't believe he will either, as I have little or no faith in Texas.

[TBF]

46. You completely ignored my point about finances

didn't you? Why is that?

Look, he is definitely the underdog against Paxton or Cornyn. Hopefully dems can get it together and unify so we have a chance.

[displacedvermoter]

57. I despise the whole campaign finance system

I didn't ignore anything. Hopefully some day Dems get their shit together on campaign finance, on insider trading, on the impact of lobbyists, etc. Doubt it, though.

[Vogon_Glory]

56. The Good Guys might not need so long in the Wilderness

Donald John’s displays of racism and xenophobia have been a big help in forcing previously-apathetic or inert parts of the Texas electorate to sit up and take notice.

The right may cheer on thinly-veiled racist raids on brown people on safely-white states like Wyoming, the Dakotas, and Indiana, but there might be blowback when Latino numbers match those of Euro-Americans like here in Texas.

[travelingthrulife]

35. This is disturbing. No one with an ounce of ethics should take money from her.

[displacedvermoter]

36. Yes, I fear you are correct

Especially as part of a "religiously infused" campaign. Gambling generated income would seem pretty tainted, especially coming from her.

[BidenRocks]

55. As long as our candidate is honest and open,

money is money.

It's the strings that matter.
That's why DC looks like a cobweb!

First we MUST win!
Then we fix the cracks that allowed chump to pull this crap.

Ethics? That died with Mitch McTurtle!

[BeyondGeography]

37. She wants to open TX up for casinos

And like many Democrats there he agrees with that.

Hopefully that�s the extent of their common ground.

[displacedvermoter]

38. Hopefully, that is good ...

[Jose Garcia]

39. Good. You can't get elected state-wide in Texas without some GOP support

[TBF]

52. Moderates came out -

and I saw the heavy Latino vote for James in El Paso, San Antonio, and Corpus. Many of them put their faith in Trump and got nothing but betrayal in return. They could've stayed home, but they didn't. I am so glad they are giving us a chance.

[angel823]

41. Just so we're clear on the circumstances -

During his state re-election campaign in 2024, Talarico did take $59,000 from the Texas Sands PAC, which makes donations to politicians that support legalizing gambling. They are part of the Las Vegas Sands casino conglomerate, owned by Miriam Adelson. Texas Sands PAC has donated heavily to both Democrats and Republicans in Texas.

Talarico supports legalized casinos in Texas to generate state revenue and create jobs, his voting record confirms it.

It will be interesting to see how his campaign handles donations going forward.

That being said, I love Jasmine Crockett. If she had won the primary I would be supporting and voting for her with no reservations. She would be a formidable senator.

Sadly, many of my fellow Texans would not.

Angel

[Torchlight]

44. Now that he's won the nomination, I fully support him... no ifs, ands, or buts.

I'll quickly and personally dismiss anyone who’s trying to stir up FUD within the Texas Democratic Party as we move on to the next stage.

[TBF]

47. Thank you - he is very much the underdog against Paxton or Cornyn -

we have a chance (thanks to both Crockett and Colbert for bringing attention to the race). But we know how Texas is, and it will be a battle.

[BidenRocks]

59. Is He?

I'm still hoping for the closet Rep/maga to decide we have gone too far and the debt is too big.

They finally figured out who pays tariffs.

The X Factor. Do you want to live and raise a family in such a politically charged society where so much hate and anger is on display daily due to chump? ICE, inflation and war!

One can't deny the cliff we have driven off.

[Wednesdays]

48. "...and could hinge on whether or not President Donald Trump offers an endorsement."

The Felon might not offer an endorsement at all, but if he does, I seriously doubt he would endorse Cornyn over Paxton.

[TBF]

51. Paxton seems to be the MAGA choice - heaven help us.

I just donated again to Talarico and signed up for the campaign updates here in my area. I'm older now than when I walked door to door for Obama with my son in his stroller (he is now in college!) ... but surely I can man phones or something.

[mdbl]

60. Of course, he's the most criminal

That's always the MAGAT favorite.