Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, speaks to reporters after announcing her run in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) has announced her bid for the U.S. Senate in 2026.

Crockett, who has been one of the more outspoken congressional Democrats in recent years, made her announcement on Texas’s filing deadline day on Monday.

Crockett instantly became the frontrunner on the Democratic side of the race with her strong ability to fundraise. The 44-year-old raised more than $6.5 million during her reelection campaign in 2024, which was the fifth-most among all congressional Democrats last year. Crockett’s $6 million on hand already matches the funds raised by state Sen. James Talarico (D-Austin), her main opponent now that former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred has dropped out. Talarico welcomed Crockett into the race on Monday while saying his campaign puts “unity over division.”

On the Republican side, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) is seeking a fifth term in office, but he is fending off a primary challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Although President Donald Trump has not endorsed a candidate yet, Paxton aided in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.  

Crockett has criticized Cornyn for recently attempting to appeal to MAGA voters.

The Texas primary election will be held on March 3, 2026. A Democrat has not won a U.S. Senate seat in Texas since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988.