AUSTIN, TX — Democrats are confronting an internal uprising reminiscent of the Tea Party era, with Texas emerging as the most visible flashpoint. The shift became clear Monday after former Rep. Colin Allred exited the 2026 Senate race and Rep. Jasmine Crockett entered — a move insiders see as part of a broader progressive challenge to party leadership.
National Democratic leaders have attempted to shape Senate primaries this cycle, but their influence has weakened as the party base grows increasingly restive during President Trump’s second term. A strategist told the outlet that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee “could have tried to keep Crockett out” if they still held meaningful sway.
Texas now hosts competitive primaries in both parties. Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico lead the Democratic field, while Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton top the GOP slate. A University of Houston–Texas Southern University poll shows Crockett at 31% and Talarico at 25%, with Allred at 13% prior to withdrawing.
Axios notes Crockett’s rising national profile — and controversial remarks — have sparked concerns among mainstream Democrats about electability in a conservative state. Party officials have instead gravitated toward Talarico, who has attracted attention through media appearances and his messaging aimed at religious voters.
Similar intra-party clashes are emerging in Ohio, North Carolina, Maine, Michigan, and Iowa, where Schumer’s preferred candidates are struggling or facing insurgent challengers. Some Democratic senators have begun quietly engaging with non-establishment contenders, signaling deeper fractures ahead of the 2026 cycle.
SOURCES
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University of Houston Poll (PDF) – Unrated
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