"Allred's departure leaves progressive social media stars Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico in the Democratic primary. Longtime Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are the leading contenders on the GOP side. Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt is also running. The Republican standoff between two Texas political icons was long expected. But the Crockett-Talarico contest will pit a new generation of contenders who reflect the growing liberal activism in the red state's restless Democratic Party."
"Crockett, 44, has built a huge online following and fundraising base on the left through her high-profile feuds with Trump. But many top Democrats doubt she could win a general election in conservative Texas. Crockett, who represents a deep-blue district in Dallas, has made several controversial comments that top Democrats fear would turn off swing voters, such as calling wheelchair-bound Texas Gov. Greg Abbott "Hot Wheels" and suggesting that some on the right are "inherently" violent."
"Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee "probably could have tried to keep Crockett out" if they "were strong," a national Democratic strategist told Axios. "But they're not. They're the weakest they've ever been." Zoom in: Monday's filing deadline left Texas with one of the hottest Senate races of 2026 - and primaries on both sides that party leaders have struggled to shape."
Some national Democratic strategists say Senate Democratic leaders and the party's campaign committee could not block Crockett and are the weakest they've ever been. Filing deadlines left Texas with a competitive 2026 Senate race and primaries both parties have struggled to shape. Allred's exit leaves Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico in the Democratic primary, while Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton lead the GOP, with Rep. Wesley Hunt also running. A recent poll shows Crockett at 31%, Talarico 25%, Allred 13%. Crockett's online prominence raises doubts about general-election electability; Talarico appeals to mainstream Democrats.
Read at Axios
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