Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas is jumping headfirst into the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Texas.

After months of speculation (and last week’s major hint),  her filing came Monday, just ahead of the state’s deadline, and on the same day former Rep. Colin Allred exited the contest and pivoted to a House run.

“For too long, Texas has elected Senators who have defended politics as usual and protected the status quo, while Texans pay the price,” she shared in a statement on her campaign website. “We’ve had Senators who’ve pushed the American Dream further and further out of reach. 

Her bid instantly shook up the Democratic primary, setting up a high-profile clash for Republican Sen. John Cornyn’s seat.

“I’m running for the United States Senate because I believe Texas deserves a Senator who will be an independent voice for all 30 million Texans,” she continued.

The New York Times shares, the second-term congresswoman and former civil rights attorney announced her bid to a room of supporters, after showing a sparse, but heavy campaign ad. 

In the video, Crockett appears resolute but completely silent, as a familiar voice chimes in, disparaging her, calling her “low IQ” and also referring to her as the new star of the Democratic Party. 

“What we need is for me to have a bigger voice,” she said at the start of her 40-minute speech to her supporters. “We need to make sure that we are going to stop all the hell that is raining down on all of our people.” 

Crockett has made a name for herself through her unapologetic bravado and fearless tussles with Republicans. She’s also one of the party’s most prolific fundraisers. 

Allred, who was the party’s 2024 Senate nominee in Texas, said he is stepping aside from the 2026 Senate primary to avoid an intraparty fight and instead will run in a newly drawn, safely blue 33rd Congressional District. 

Crockett is now set to face state Rep. James Talarico of Austin, whose long-shot campaign has drawn national attention and strong early fundraising.​

Crockett has said internal polling convinced her she can win statewide, even in a year when Texas will again be a central battleground in national politics.

For Dems, her rise sets up a high-risk, high-reward test for whether her bold leadership style can finally crack the GOP’s stronghold on Texas... and maybe even beyond.