A rising Democratic star just shook up the Texas political map.
Texas state Rep. James Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic Senate primary Tuesday night, the Associated Press projected early Wednesday.
The win propels the 36-year-old lawmaker from Austin onto the national stage and sets up a high-stakes general election in a state Democrats have not won in a Senate race since the 1980s.
Talarico will face the winner of a bruising Republican runoff between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The race is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate battles of the midterm cycle as Republicans defend a narrow majority.
The GOP currently holds the chamber 53-47.
“Tonight our campaign is shocking the nation,” Talarico told supporters during a late-night appearance at his primary watch party in Austin.
“We are still waiting for an official call, but we are confident in this movement we’ve built together. Every vote must be counted. Every voice must be heard,” he added.
“The number of young people & those who never voted before who showed up tonight was unprecedented. The people of our state gave our country a little bit of hope.” – James Talarico
And then he walked off stage to Bad Bunny’s DTMF like an absolute boss. 🔥pic.twitter.com/PLs9D4gWgo
— 💕 Brittany Belle 💕 (@BrittanyinTexas) March 4, 2026
The Associated Press officially called the race a few hours later.
Crockett, a nationally known progressive and frequent critic of President Donald Trump, had earlier warned supporters not to expect a quick result.
Voting disruptions in Dallas and Williamson County created confusion at some polling sites, with some voters reportedly turned away.
“We don’t have any of the results because there was a lot of confusion today,” Crockett told supporters at an election-night gathering in Dallas.
“I won’t be back tonight because I have no idea of when we’re going to get results. And I fully anticipate it won’t be until tomorrow.”
Crockett blamed Republicans for the problems, alleging that voters had been disenfranchised.
“Unfortunately, this is what Republicans like to do,” she said. “And, so, they specifically targeted Dallas County, and I think we all know why.”
You kind of have to give it to Jasmine Crockett for her commitment to the act she puts on. Even after losing tonight she blamed Republicans, by claiming they rigged her election. She was running against another Democrat. How would we rig that? 😂 pic.twitter.com/rIYOrEzZMF
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 4, 2026
The dispute stemmed from a legal fight over whether polls could remain open past their scheduled closing time. Earlier Tuesday evening, the Texas Supreme Court overturned a lower-court ruling that would have extended voting hours in Dallas and Williamson counties.
The high court ordered that any ballots cast after the original closing time be separated.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court of Texas blocked the ruling of extended Democrat voting hours.
Cue the crying… pic.twitter.com/EaIsOtvneh
— Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) March 4, 2026
Democrats had pushed to extend polling hours after complications emerged because the parties did not hold joint primaries this cycle.
The outcome now shifts attention to the general election, where Democrats hope Talarico’s rising profile can help them compete in a state long dominated by Republicans.
Whether that momentum is enough to break Texas’ decades-long Democratic Senate drought remains one of the biggest questions of the coming midterm elections.
Watch the clip below:
PRIMARY DEFEAT: Rep. Jasmine Crockett has been defeated by State Rep. James Talarico in the Texas Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate.
“People have been disenfranchised,” Crockett reportedly told supporters at her election night event in Dallas. pic.twitter.com/HniUie3Sof
— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) March 4, 2026
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