Former President Trump wasted no time weighing in on the Texas Senate race, dismissing Representative Jasmine Crockett’s candidacy as a boon for Republicans. Speaking to reporters in Pennsylvania, Trump declared he “can’t imagine she wins,” framing her entry into the contest as an unexpected advantage for his party.
Trump didn’t stop at simply predicting defeat. He launched a direct attack on Crockett’s intellect, labeling her “a low IQ person” and expressing disbelief that she could succeed as a politician. His comments were characteristically blunt, delivered with the same forceful style that defined his time in office.
Crockett, a rising progressive voice and vocal critic of Trump, officially entered the race on Monday, filing the necessary paperwork to challenge incumbent Senator John Cornyn. Her decision came as a surprise, injecting new energy into a contest already shaping up to be fiercely competitive.
In her campaign launch, Crockett positioned herself as a direct counter to Trump and a defender of the “American dream.” She accused Cornyn of failing to stand up to the former president, vowing to take a more aggressive stance if elected.
Crockett acknowledged the late timing of her entry, explaining it wasn’t initially her plan. However, she stated that data analysis revealed a strong path to victory, both in the primary and general elections, compelling her to challenge the status quo. She described the moment as “life or death” for Texas.
Despite Texas’s long history of Republican dominance – a Democrat hasn’t won statewide office in over three decades – Crockett expressed confidence in her ability to flip the seat. She painted a picture of Texas as a state of “brawlers with a moral code,” arguing its representation should reflect that spirit.
Her campaign launch included a strategic video compilation of Trump’s past attacks against her, immediately framing the narrative as a personal battle. This move signaled a willingness to directly confront Trump and leverage his criticisms to galvanize support.
Crockett’s entrance into the race followed a significant shift in the Democratic field. Former Representative Colin Allred, previously a leading contender, unexpectedly dropped out of the Senate race to pursue a return to the House of Representatives.
State Representative James Talarico remains in the Democratic primary alongside Crockett. On the Republican side, Senator Cornyn faces challenges from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt, setting the stage for a potentially contentious primary battle.
