The GOP has successfully encouraged U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett to enter the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. Whether they will come to regret this move remains to be seen, but progressives should not underestimate her political stance.
I previously urged NC readers to keep an eye on this race because the Republican primary, featuring incumbent Senator John Cornyn and MAGA-supportive Attorney General Ken Paxton, represents the clash between the Bush and Trump factions for control of the party.
I have also covered Crockett before; here’s what I mentioned in July:
Various media outlets have eagerly discussed the concept of “dark woke,” but none have done so with the same lack of awareness as The New York Times.
The NYT article is subtitled “Democrats are exploring a new vibe. It’s provocative, edgy, and dangerously close to crossing the line of being too offensive,” featuring “Representative Jasmine Crockett, Democrat of Texas, who has frequently directed insults at her opponents.”
Interestingly, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has touted a poll indicating that Rep. Crockett leads the Texas Democratic Senatorial primary, even though she has yet to officially declare her candidacy.
Must I really remind Democrats to steer clear of strategies promoted by both The New York Times and the Republican Party?
Crockett’s Mainstream Media Ascendance
The rapid rise of a 44-year-old Missourian, with a single term in the Texas State Legislature and one and a half terms in Washington, can seem puzzling. However, her acceptance by mainstream media plays a significant role in her ascent.
A quick look at Google Trends comparing media coverage of Crockett to that of California Rep. Eric Swalwell, a congressman selected by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for the Jan. 6 subcommittee, illustrates this point.
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) December 10, 2025
To better understand the narrative surrounding Jasmine Crockett, let’s look at a recent screengrab from my Google News feed:
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) December 10, 2025
This speaks volumes in terms of the coverage she’s receiving. CNN encapsulates Crockett’s appeal to viewers who oppose Donald Trump, while the NYT highlights the broader electoral landscape, with FOX eagerly awaiting developments.
Jasmine Crockett Takes the Stage
Here’s a quote from Rep. Crockett’s campaign launch tweet:
Texas, let’s win this thing. #JasmineForUS #TexasTough pic.twitter.com/VthTb93kur
— Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) December 8, 2025
Let’s hear Donald Trump’s commentary:
Donald Trump: She’s the new star of the Democrat Party, Jasmine Crockett. They’re in big trouble.
Trump: But you have this woman, Crockett. She’s a very low IQ person. I watched her speak the other day. She’s definitely a low IQ person.
Trump: Crockett. Oh, man. They’re going to rely on Crockett. Crockett’s going to bring them back.
Her ability to provoke Trump demonstrates her knack for capturing attention, even if his critiques lack substance.
Moreover, she has shown an eagerness to critiquing prominent Democrats like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
While capable of employing substantive arguments, as noted in a recent Politico interview, Crockett emphasized the Democrats’ messaging during potential government shutdowns:
Asked about the government shutdown: Crockett: “Honestly, this has probably been the most effective messaging that we’ve done as Democrats… it is clear that Democrats are fighting for the basic humanity of all Americans.”
She offers insights into her communication strategies, rapid rise, and even interactions with Marjorie Taylor Greene. Notably, she mentioned generational responses from her Democratic peers:
Crockett: “There are two women in their eighties that are high-fiving me: Maxine Waters and Nancy Pelosi… The middle-aged group was really like, ‘Uh, we don’t know about this.’”
The woman exhibits intelligence and poise.
She also recently posted a video addressing ICE during a congressional session:
You don’t need to be a Democrat to know this is wrong — you just need a conscience. pic.twitter.com/cqXKnDRQQZ
— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) December 10, 2025
Some key quotes include:
Jasmine Crockett: “We are living in some of the scariest times that this country has ever seen, yet you have not backed down… When the history books are written, they will know your stories because you decided to be brave in the face of those cowards.”
Perception of Jasmine Crockett in D.C.
Let’s explore how insiders in D.C. are viewing the race:
Axios provides valuable insights in an article titled Dems face a Tea Party-style revolt in Texas and beyond:
Shortly after former NFL star Colin Allred dropped out of the Texas Senate race, Rep. Jasmine Crockett entered, reflecting a progressive revolt against establishment Democrats.
Democratic leaders have sought to support preferred candidates in several states this election year, but their influence wanes as the party’s base turns against them during Trump’s second term.
The Texas Tribune captured the Austin perspective in their piece titled “Is Jasmine Crockett’s Senate campaign an asset or a liability for Democrats? It depends on who you ask.”:
Some analysts believe Crockett’s nomination could jeopardize the party’s chances of winning a statewide race for the first time in over three decades, while others see her as a dynamic communicator striving to expand the electorate.
Much is at stake not just for the U.S. Senate but also for competitive positions further down the ballot. Texas Democrats are still recovering from a series of overwhelming losses last year, but 2026 represents the first midterm with Trump in the White House since the narrow Senate defeat of Beto O’Rourke in 2018.
Crockett is celebrated for her fervor and effective communication skills, distinguishing herself in the midst of Democratic challenges in unscripted settings.
It is worth noting that Crockett’s policy positions and legislative achievements received little attention in these discussions.
Progressive Media Perspectives on Jasmine Crockett
Let’s explore how alternative media perceives her:
Stoller: “Jasmine Crockett has explicitly modeled her career on Barack Obama, from corporate-friendly politics to a focus on celebrity over substance. This lane is well-trodden in black politics.”
Stoller: “Crockett is very smart, but she should realize this model is a dead-end.”
The Young Turks scrutinize Crockett’s stance regarding the Gaza conflict:
Ana Kasparian: “Crockett’s voting record and comments have raised concerns among some Americans regarding continued financial support for Israel.”
Ryan Grim also provides criticism:
Grim: “Crockett represents a shift that many mistake for a progressive approach; however, she aligns more closely with traditional corporate Democrats than her public persona suggests.”
The GOP’s Manipulations to Recruit Crockett
As previously mentioned, I picked up on these tactics immediately, having worked in Texas campaigns prior to 2005. This kind of maneuvering is reminiscent of Karl Rove’s style, which allowed the GOP to cement its control over Texas and, eventually, national politics.
For further reading, NOTUS.org presents titled “An ‘AstroTurf Recruitment Process’: National Republicans Propped Up Jasmine Crockett to Push Her Into a Senate Run“, revealing key details:
The NRSC has actively worked to encourage Rep. Jasmine Crockett to enter the Senate race, believing she would be an easier target.
Concerns among Republicans earlier this summer about potential strong Democratic candidates transformed when Crockett became a rising figure outside their discussions.
The NRSC conducted polls that included Crockett’s name, suggesting she was leading against hypothetical opponents, which fueled her media narrative.
The NRSC, rooted in Rove’s approach, illustrates that such tactics are still prevalent in today’s political landscape.
Race Performance Insights
I’m not writing for betting pools, but a quick insight into the race might interest some readers:
Real Clear Politics has compiled polling data showing a tight race as Cornyn launches heavy attack ads against Paxton, who was previously enjoying more substantial leads earlier this year.
The polling indicates both Cornyn and Paxton currently stand ahead of Crockett and her remaining opponent, State Rep. James Talarico.
Speaking of Talarico, he’s another candidate to consider:
Joe Rogan’s Favorite Texas Democrat Takes a Calm Approach
Crockett has a notable advantage in name recognition over Talarico, as highlighted by Google Trends:
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) December 10, 2025
However, Talarico has also impressed with fundraising capabilities:
His campaign raised an astonishing $6.2 million shortly after its launch, while Crockett had approximately $4.6 million before hers initiated.
Talarico’s connections, including booking appearances on the Joe Rogan Experience, also bolster his visibility.
Lastly, Talarico recently welcomed Crockett into the race, attempting to cultivate a positive narrative:
Talarico: “We always knew this was going to be hard… We will treat Congresswoman Crockett with the utmost respect.”
Although support was offered, underlying tensions within the party are clear. While I am particularly focused on upcoming Senate races, including my top picks like the Maine Senate race and Katie Porter’s fight in California, I will continue to monitor the dynamic developments of the Crockett and Paxton campaigns.
