he did make the case that a “bruising” Democratic primary could undermine their chances of ousting Cornyn in the general election, arguing that his party will need to be “unified” if it stands a chance at pulling off an upset in November."

I think that this shows how Colin Allred was able to get so close to ousting Cruz. Colin Allred is pragmatic and a class act.

For a Republican senator in Texas, 9 points is very close.

And if you didn't realize, Colin Allred is half Black.

"Allred challenged Republican incumbent Ted Cruz in the 2024 United States Senate election in Texas. He was defeated by Cruz in the general election; however, he outran the Democratic presidential ticket in the concurrent presidential election in Texas by 5.5%"

So he performed better than the Democratic presidential candidate. For a Black Democratic candidate in Texas, in my opinion, he did very well. I would call that close.

That was close.

Talarico can. That’s what I’m basing my vote on. I like her but the reality is Texas will never elect her

But Talarico does look to be polling a few points better than Crockett aginst either republican.

We need to run someone white, probably male, and just left of center if we're even going to be close. We've seen some pretty decent candidates run against absolute buffoons like Ted Cruz and still lose. The landscape for Democrats should be better by next fall but I don't see Crockett as viable, and we need to be pragmatic about it.

The color of her skin will most assuredly hold her back. To deny that is not being realistic. Is it right? Hell no! Is it something the needs to change? Hell yes.

But for this moment in time, it is indeed the unfortunate reality.

To the average voter in Texas? Plenty

hopefully a few of them are realizing now it's not just POC and LGBTQ folk being hurt

In the same way that it has been expressed many times (even by Michelle Obama) that this country is not currently ready for a female president and nominating a woman in 2028 would set us up to lose, Texas is a red state, and a majority Hispanic state. A Hispanic man has a stronger chance of winning, I'm sorry to say, than a Black woman. I wish it weren't true, but it is.

I think we will probably lose either way, as Texas is just too conservative at this point, but with Talarico maybe we have a slim chance. I think with Crockett, who has been so outspoken (in a great way!! I wish she could keep her house seat) and would have to overcome sexism and racism just like Kamala Harris did, there would be no chance.

Please explain exactly what policies of Crockett's are unacceptable to Texans.

You can't, because progressive policies are popular EVERYWHERE.

The "policies" unacceptable to Texans are estrogen and pigment.

People agree with progressive policies across the board. The problem that Dem progressives have is that there are so many other Dems who believe that being junior Republicans is the best strategy, and therefore, nobody believes Democrats will actually deliver on any of the ideas we talk about.

Ann Richards held statewide office in TX for a dozen years and is the last Democrat to win a statewide race.

If "people agree with progressive policies across the board" and estrogen and pigment were the only problems... Texas would have elected some progressive white men to statewide office in this century.

Of Allred or Crockett that Texans can't abide? Don't just toss out meaningless labels. Identify the policies.

Two easy ones - one specific and one general.

Only 31% of voters in the TX 2024 exit polls indicated that US support for Israel was too strong. Harris actually won a solid majority of the 30% who said it was "about right"... because she was part of that policy. Crockett can't pretend to walk that middle ground.

Only 23% of Texas voters identified as liberal... but there are enough moderates to form a majority if a democratic candidate can plausibly sell herself as a moderate. But Crockett scores about the top quartile of our caucus. She's a great fit for her current district (and actually votes a bit to the left of where the district would imply)... but statewide is a different kettle of fish entirely.

I asked about policies, not labels.

Some Dems are worse than Republicans when it comes to tossing around meaningless labels.

But I'm also not willing to buy your implicit spin that voters are stupid. When they're asked whether they identify as liberal or conservative or moderate... why would you assume that you know better than they do?

More importantly, how many Texans even know her policy?

Even more basically, how many Texans could find Gaza on a map, or even spell Gaza correctly?

If they don't like Crockett, it is because she is black, a woman, and a radical leftist. The first 2 are manifestly obvious. The third is your invention and the power of propaganda.

It was a mistake for her to run this time around. I really like her and I'm a lifelong Texan. But Talarico has been getting some well deserved attention and interest. Crockett will now take some of that attention. Republicans will benefit.

My money and my vote will go to Talarico.

Sorry but I don’t understand. What is she supposed to do when she is out of a job next year - wait four years for a shot against Cruz? Let her run her campaign and have the voters decide.

Democrats must deal with that reality. It is unfortunate, and I certainly don't like that things are that way. But I've lived here my whole live and they are. It doesn't work to deny it.

She's welcome to run. That is her right. But I think we all know what the outcome is going to be. You're absolutely right. Let the voters decide. But would you care to check back with me after the election? If I'm wrong, I will gladly admit it and be all the happier for it. I think she's great, but I think Talarico is great, too, and i think he has a better shot given the circumstances.

We don't need a bunch of big names knocking each other out in the primary. Talarico was already in the race for Senate (and he's getting my support.) She would have been better running for one of the other offices.

but if she could awaken the vast number of Texans who DON'T VOTE,
she could have a chance!

But like you, I'm not too optimistic about that...

Crockett has zero chance of winning. I'm sorry, but DU has said over and over how irresponsible it would be for democrats to nominate a woman in 2028 because the country is so sexist (and racist.) Guess what. Texas is going to be even worse than the US as a whole in that regard. James Talarico has a much better shot at winning in this Hispanic majority state than a Black woman, and we would be insane to nominate Crockett in the primary, just like we would be insane to nominate AOC as president in 2028, much as I like both of them.

Winning that senate seat is going to be a long shot no matter what. Beto had huge name recognition and popularity and came the closest, at 3% of within winning. And he's a white guy. I think Talarico could maybe come close as a Hispanic man. I love Crockett for her fire, but combine how racist and sexist the red areas of the state are with some of the statements she's made, and this is going to be a nonstarter for swaying independent and moderate voters.

I don't know much about TX politics, but I can't help thinking a strong economic message would have the broadest appeal. Talarico seems to be hitting the marks

Link to tweet

But I think Talarico would have better odds in the general, unless Paxton wins the GOP nomination, then Crockett would have a shot,

True.

And her opponent would be racism, misogyny, and hate.

I would vote for her.

Unfortunately, 5.8 million voters in Texas who lean Republican will not be soliciting our opinion or asking our expert advice.

As a Senator, she’d brilliant. As a candidate in the primary, she would not even be allowed the smallest mistake. The media will be watching and listening. As with Howard Dean in 2004, or Hillary Clinton in 2016, they LOVE to tear down a popular Democratic frontrunner, if they can. It’s like trying to walk a tightrope across the Grand Canyon. One slip, and you’re done, and you don’t get a second chance.

She MIGHT make it. She COULD make it. But the political winds in Texas blow in another direction—for now. The more Trump makes stupid moves, and the more Cornyn backs him up on every one, it increases our chances. But, like Adlai Stevenson supposedly said when told he had the vote of every thinking American, “That’s not enough. I need a majority!”

A black democrat has won exactly one statewide race in the past 35 years and that may be the only time that has happened.
Texas is a racist state. There are a lot of people who won’t vote for a black here. Both ethics and dems especially outside the major urban areas. If a dem were to wing it won’t be by a lot. And we need the candidate who has the best chance of winning. And in Texas that’s not Crockett. It may be be right but it’s simple reality. And those that dispute that have their head in the sand

who support Jasmine Crockett?

(written with my toes in the sand, my head held upright)

Link to tweet