James Talarico, a 36-year-traditional rising star within the Democratic party, won his party’s primary election in Texas on Tuesday for one of the state’s two seats in the U.S. Senate. Talarico, who presents a progressive profile combined with moderate approaches, secured 53% of the vote, defeating Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump, who received 45%.
The race was marked by a dispute over the vote count in Dallas, where Crockett has a strong base, and polling locations were delayed in closing by a couple of hours. The winner will await a May runoff to determine his Republican opponent in November, when all seats in the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate will be contested in elections that could impact the viability of the second half of President Trump’s second term.
Republicans similarly held their primary elections on Tuesday, but without a clear outcome. Veteran Senator John Cornyn, who has served since 2002, received the most votes with 42.3% (with 77% of precincts reporting), followed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton with 40.8%, and Representative Wesley Hunt with 13.1%. Because no candidate secured more than 50% of the vote, Cornyn and Paxton will face each other in a second runoff.
The primary elections, the most expensive in history with a total investment of $110 million—$71 million of which was spent by Cornyn—highlighted the strategic choices each party must make to succeed in November. The Republican runoff, extending into May, will further deplete Republican funds ahead of the general election, a potential advantage for Talarico. He now has two months to appeal to voters before facing his opponent.
The Democratic primary presented voters with a choice between Talarico’s progressive moderation and strong Christian values, and Crockett’s more assertive left-leaning approach. Crockett, a frequent target of insults from President Trump, aimed to mobilize the party’s base. Talarico, conversely, sought to attract undecided voters and disaffected conservatives with a populist economic agenda and a message of replacing polarization with “love for one’s neighbor.”
Talarico’s win brings the possibility of a Democratic victory in the Senate race closer, which would be the first statewide win for the party in decades.
Valores tradicionales
Within the Republican party, the contest pitted the traditional values of Senator Cornyn against the unwavering loyalty to the “MAGA” movement demonstrated by Ken Paxton, whose adherence to Trumpism has allowed him to overcome a series of scandals—including an infidelity that led to divorce and an impeachment process—that might have derailed a political career in the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas?
James Talarico won the Democratic primary, defeating Jasmine Crockett with 53% of the vote to her 45%.
What is the status of the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Texas?
John Cornyn and Ken Paxton will face each other in a May runoff after neither secured more than 50% of the vote in the primary.
How much money was spent in the Texas primary elections?
The primary elections were the most expensive in history, with a total investment of $110 million, $71 million of which was spent by John Cornyn.
As the election season progresses, will the strategies employed by both parties prove effective in attracting voters and securing victory in November?
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