The politics in Texas is changing fast as the 2026 U.S. Senate race starts. On the last day to enter the race, Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett said she wants to run for the Senate. She will try to beat Republican Senator John Cornyn. Soon after, former Congressman Colin Allred said he will not run for the Senate and will try for a new U.S. House seat instead. These moves show that Democrats are trying hard to compete with Republicans in Texas.
Why the Texas Senate Race is Nationally Critical
The Senate race in Texas will be very important and expensive. Democrats want to take control of the U.S. Senate, but it will be hard. Winning in Texas, which usually votes Republican, would be a big change for the country. The last time a Democrat won a statewide office in Texas was in 1994, showing how hard it is.
Right now, Republican Senator John Cornyn has the seat and wants to win again. But the election depends a lot on the primaries, especially the Republican one, where Cornyn faces strong challengers.
Crockett’s High-Profile Senate Candidacy
A Distinctive Democratic Voice
Jasmine Crockett is a second-term Congresswoman from the Dallas area. She is known for speaking strongly and often arguing with Republicans. This has made her well-known and helped her raise money. By the end of September 2025, she had $4.6 million in her campaign fund (Texas Tribune).
Crockett is popular with young people, minority communities, and progressive voters. Her campaign will test if someone very famous and polarizing can unite Democrats and get votes across Texas.
The New Democratic Primary Dynamic
Crockett’s entry changes the Democratic primary. She is now the main candidate against State Representative James Talarico from Austin. Talarico is also popular and active online, with 1.2 million TikTok followers. He raised $6.2 million in the first three weeks and has $4.9 million on hand as of September 30, 2025 (Ballotpedia, Texas Tribune). The primary will be a fast and strong race between two well-known, young, and rich progressive candidates.
Colin Allred’s Pivotal Move to the House
Colin Allred decided to leave the Senate race and run for the new Texas 33rd Congressional District in Dallas-Fort Worth. Allred said he did this to avoid a tough Democratic Senate primary, which could hurt the party before the general election.
Now, Allred can focus on the House seat. The 33rd District is a seat Democrats can win, but Allred will still compete in the primary against current Representative Julie Johnson.
The Republican Primary and General Election Stakes
An Incumbent Under Fire
Senator John Cornyn faces a tough fight from other Republicans. His challengers are Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt. Recent polls show no candidate has a majority yet, so a May 26 runoff is likely. A December 2025 poll shows Paxton with 29%, Cornyn and Hunt each with 24% (J.L. Partners poll).
Democrats think their best chance is if Paxton wins the Republican primary because his legal problems could make him easier to beat.
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The Challenge Ahead
Even though Crockett’s campaign brings energy and money, the general election is still likely to go to Republicans, according to the Cook Political Report. To win, the Democrat must do better than Beto O’Rourke, who lost to Senator Ted Cruz by only 2.6% in 2018. Winning means getting support from urban progressive voters, suburban moderates, and more Latino and Black voters.
Conclusion: A Defining Fight for Texas’s Future
Jasmine Crockett running for Senate and Colin Allred running for the House changes the Texas 2026 elections. Crockett makes the Senate primary a clear race between two strong progressives. Her challenge is to turn her fame into votes across Texas. As the state changes, this race is very important for the future of Texas and the national balance of power.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources as of the filing deadline. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets and campaign websites.