Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) has tossed her hat into the U.S. Senate ring with a fiery challenge that’s already drawing sharp conservative backlash.
On Monday, Crockett launched her last-minute candidacy in Dallas, positioning herself as a progressive counterweight to President Donald Trump and incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), only to face immediate mockery from conservative voices predicting a brutal defeat in the Republican-stronghold state.
For months, speculation swirled about whether Crockett would jump into the race, with many wondering if the progressive firebrand would take on such a daunting statewide challenge.
Her announcement speech in Dallas framed the campaign as a direct stand against Trump, with Crockett doubling down on her opposition to his influence in national politics.
Hours before her launch, former Rep. Colin Allred bowed out of the race, citing the need to keep the Democratic Party united and avoid a contentious primary battle.
Crockett’s campaign debut included a 42-second video featuring Trump’s criticisms of her, a move that conservatives on social media platforms like X quickly panned as a misstep in a state that leans heavily Republican.
Conservative leaders and commentators wasted no time in ridiculing Crockett’s bid, with many pointing to Texas’ deep-red political landscape as an insurmountable hurdle for her progressive agenda.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) didn’t hold back, stating, “Jasmine Crockett about to learn the hard way that most Texans are very different from her district, her base & her values.”
While Abbott’s words sting, they reflect a broader sentiment among conservatives that Crockett’s brand of politics won’t resonate outside her urban base—perhaps a fair warning for a state where statewide races often tilt heavily right.
On the flip side, some Democrats are rallying behind Crockett, with Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) praising her as “a relentless fighter and a brilliant legal mind” who represents the bold leadership needed in the Senate.
Yet, even with such endorsements, the uphill battle is evident as Crockett faces not only a tough general election but also skepticism about her late entry into the race.
Crockett herself addressed the timing, saying, “Many people wonder why I jumped in this race so late, and I just want to be clear that this was never my intention, this was never about me.”
Meanwhile, incumbent Sen. Cornyn isn’t coasting to reelection either, as he faces primary challenges from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt within the Republican Party.
For Crockett, the road ahead looks rocky, and while her passion can’t be questioned, conservatives argue her focus on Trump in a state that favors him could backfire spectacularly.
Whether she can defy the odds remains to be seen, but for now, the conservative chorus on X seems content to watch what they predict will be a spectacular flop—though in politics, underestimating an opponent can sometimes lead to surprises.
