During their first debate on Saturday, U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and State Representative James Talarico presented themselves as determined advocates for the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Crockett portrayed herself as a “street fighter,” while Talarico highlighted his track record of challenging Republican initiatives in the Texas House.
The debate, hosted at the Texas AFL-CIO’s political convention in Georgetown, lasted for an hour as the candidates geared up for the upcoming March 3 election. Early voting is set to commence on February 17, just over three weeks from the debate.
Crockett, a representative from Dallas, and Talarico, from Austin, are vying for their party’s nomination to challenge the Republican candidate in the November election. Democrats are optimistic that dissatisfaction with the Trump administration and a weakened GOP nominee from a tough primary could lead to their first statewide win in over 30 years. Incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn is currently facing a fierce primary battle against Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt of Houston.
Crockett emphasized her candidacy as a means to broaden the electorate, aiming to enhance Democratic turnout and galvanize low-propensity voters. In contrast, Talarico focused on his Christian values and a populist approach to economics, hoping to attract disenchanted Republican and independent voters while energizing the Democratic base.
Throughout the debate, Crockett underscored her capacity to engage with the current political climate, recalling her activism during the Trump administration’s immigration policies in cities like Minneapolis. She asserted that her experience makes her the most capable candidate to drive voter turnout in November.
“I am not just sitting in D.C.,” she declared. “I am getting out into the streets. To win and protect our country, we need someone who can both file legislation and fight like a street warrior.”
Talarico, drawing from his background as a middle school teacher, referenced his vigorous efforts in the Texas legislature, where he gained attention for his confrontations with Republicans over contentious issues like private school vouchers and the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
“The best predictor of future actions is past actions,” he stated. “I have stood up against the billionaires attempting to undermine public education in this state.”
On most policy matters discussed, both candidates found common ground, advocating for increased taxes on billionaires, the repeal of Trump’s tariffs, and restrictions on offensive weapon sales to Israel. They also expressed a commitment to using congressional oversight to curtail the Trump administration’s foreign policy in regions like Venezuela, Greenland, and Iran.
Talarico took a firmer stance on the need to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), criticizing the agency’s extensive deportation efforts during Trump’s first year and its controversial actions in Minneapolis, which have led to public outcry.
“It’s time to dismantle this secret police and create an agency focused on public safety,” Talarico argued, emphasizing the need for accountability for ICE agents who misuse their authority. He suggested reallocating increased funding for ICE back to communities.
Crockett also condemned ICE’s practices, noting her recent vote against a spending bill that included funding for the Department of Homeland Security. “We absolutely need to clean house, whatever that entails,” she asserted.
In response, Cornyn criticized the Democrats’ positions on ICE, claiming Texas cannot afford their radical policies. “The Texas Senate Democrat debate reveals just how out of touch and misguided their ideas are,” he remarked.
The candidates diverged on the subject of expanding the U.S. Supreme Court. Crockett expressed her support for the expansion, while Talarico remained noncommittal, indicating he was open to the idea but also advocating for term limits and a binding ethics code for justices.
Talarico further supported eliminating the Senate filibuster to enable the passage of federal protections for workers and other significant legislation, while Crockett proposed limited exceptions to the filibuster for essential issues such as voting rights, referencing failed attempts by Senate Democrats in 2022.
While Talarico has campaigned against the influence of billionaires in politics, he defended his acceptance of contributions from Texas Sands PAC, affiliated with casino magnate and GOP donor Miriam Adelson, due to their shared interest in legalizing casinos in Texas for tax revenue. “I don’t know Miriam Adelson — we likely disagree on many issues, but we align on legalizing gambling in Texas,” he explained.
When confronted about her own corporate contributions from companies like Lockheed Martin and Blue Cross Blue Shield, Crockett noted that her donations came from employees rather than individuals, particularly those who support Trump’s potential 2028 run. She remarked that Adelson has encouraged Trump to pursue a third term, which is constitutionally prohibited.
Crockett also subtly critiqued Talarico’s lower visibility, stating, “James and I served together in the state House. He has been elected longer than I have, yet I am more recognized because I have actively engaged in these battles.”
Talarico, elected to the Texas House in 2018, has been working to elevate his profile among voters, while Crockett transitioned to Congress in 2023 after serving one term in Austin.
Recent polling has indicated that Talarico is trailing Crockett in name recognition, with the latter gaining notoriety for her viral confrontations with Republican colleagues and her criticisms of Trump, who has amplified her visibility through social media attacks.
Talarico has also gained traction within the Democratic Party by appearing on diverse platforms, including a podcast with Joe Rogan last summer and through a growing social media presence.
During the debate, Talarico made a point to avoid directly criticizing Crockett, emphasizing their shared objective of winning in November. “Congresswoman Crockett and I agree on much more than we disagree,” he stated. “That unity poses a threat to the billionaires trying to divide us and who currently control this country.”
Both candidates acknowledged that Trump and members of his administration had engaged in impeachable actions but noted they would carefully evaluate evidence from a formal impeachment inquiry before deciding on a conviction in the Senate. Crockett pointed to the president’s tariffs as a potential trigger for renewed impeachment discussions, while Talarico mentioned Trump’s personal enrichment during his presidency.
Paxton responded on social media, accusing the Democrats of recklessly committing to impeaching Trump without justification. “They stand for nothing but a power grab, weaponizing the system to undermine our President and impose their radical agenda on Texas,” he stated.
Recent public polling from Emerson College revealed Talarico leading Crockett by a margin of nine percentage points, with his support particularly strong among white and Latino voters. Shortly after the Emerson poll was published, Crockett shared an internal survey suggesting she had a 13-point advantage.
Talarico has actively sought to bolster his appeal among Latino voters, launching a Spanish-language TV ad in major media markets across the state this week. Last month, he collaborated with Tejano music star and congressional candidate Bobby Pulido during an event in the heavily Latino Rio Grande Valley, where they endorsed each other.
Crockett has faced backlash for comments made to Vanity Fair a year ago, where she referred to some Latino Texans’ anti-immigrant sentiments as “almost like a slave mentality.” She also faced scrutiny for suggesting the nation needs migrants because “we’re done picking cotton.” In response to inquiries about her remarks, Crockett expressed that there was no intention to offend anyone and emphasized her consistent support for all individuals throughout her political career.
Currently in her second term in Congress, Crockett has previously served in the Texas House and as a public defender in East Texas. She enjoys significant backing from Black voters, a crucial demographic in the Democratic primary. Recent surveys indicate that around 80% of Black voters intend to support Crockett, aligning with findings from a December poll that showed 89% support for her among Black voters. Nearly half of Black voters surveyed by Texas Southern University admitted they did not know enough about Talarico.
Talarico’s progressive views on his Christian faith have also come under scrutiny from conservatives, particularly after he stated on Ezra Klein’s podcast that he believes Christianity “points to the truth,” while also acknowledging that “other religions of love point to the same truth.”
