Trending Now - Democrats Reshape Leadership Ahead of Midterm Elections

WHO:

James Talarico, Democratic state lawmaker from Texas

Jasmine Crockett, U.S. Representative and Democratic candidate in Texas Senate primary

John Cornyn, Republican Senator from Texas

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Republican candidate in Texas Senate primary

President Donald Trump

Collin Allred, former lawmaker

Tim Carney, Washington Examiner columnist

John Podhoretz, Commentary Magazine editor

Pete Meijer, former Republican lawmaker

Ryan James Girdusky, journalist and author

Joanna Rodriguez, NRSC Communications Director

Alex Latcham, executive director of the Senate Leadership Fund

Dan Eberhart, oil drilling CEO and Republican donor

Lea Downey Gallatin, Austin resident

Troy Burroughs, Navy retiree

Melissa Minor-Brown, Delaware House Speaker

Phil Shawe, New York executive and political contributor

WHAT:

Talarico won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Texas, defeating Crockett.

Crockett conceded the primary to Talarico on March 6, 2026, stating, “Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person.”

Cornyn and Paxton are set to face off in a Republican runoff on May 26, 2026, after neither candidate received over 50% of the vote in the primary.

Cornyn spent nearly $70 million in the primary campaign.

Talarico's campaign emphasized unity and change, stating, “We are not just trying to win an election; we are trying to fundamentally change our politics, and it’s working.”

Crockett alleged that Republicans attempted to rig the primary election.

The Texas Supreme Court ruled against extending polling hours, which Crockett claimed affected voter turnout.

Talarico is viewed as a stronger candidate against either Cornyn or Paxton in the general election.

WHERE:

Texas, specifically Austin and Dallas County

The Texas Senate primary elections

WHEN:

Primary elections held on March 5, 2026

Talarico's victory announced on March 6, 2026

Republican runoff scheduled for May 26, 2026

WHY:

Talarico's campaign aimed to attract new voters and unify the Democratic base against President Trump.

Crockett's claims of election rigging stemmed from changes in polling locations and hours that she argued suppressed voter turnout.

HOW:

Talarico campaigned with a message of unity and change, distributing “Love thy Neighbor” signs.

Crockett held a press conference to address her concerns about the election process and alleged voter suppression.

The Texas Supreme Court's decision impacted the election process by not allowing extended polling hours.

In a significant development in Texas politics, James Talarico has won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, defeating Jasmine Crockett, who conceded the race today, stating that Texas is primed to turn blue and urging unity among Democrats. Talarico's campaign focused on themes of unity and change, emphasizing that they are not just aiming to win an election but to fundamentally alter the political landscape. Meanwhile, Republican Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are set to face off in a runoff on May 26, as neither candidate secured over 50% of the vote in the primary held last Monday. Crockett has alleged that Republicans attempted to rig the election, citing a Texas Supreme Court ruling that denied extended polling hours, which she claims negatively impacted voter turnout. Talarico is now viewed as a strong contender against either Cornyn or Paxton in the upcoming general election.