Talarico Wins Texas Democratic Senate Primary Over Crockett

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 03: Texas Senate candidate James Talarico (D-TX) addresses supporters on election night on March 03, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Texans went to the polls to vote for Democratic and Republican primary candidates ahead of November's midterm elections. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

In a matchup between two of the Democratic Party’s fastest-rising figures, state Rep. James Talarico of Austin defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas in Tuesday’s primary and will move on to the fall campaign as his party’s leading contender.

The Associated Press called the race around 1:38 a.m. Wednesday. Talarico earned 1,188,253 votes (52.8%) while Crockett had 1,034,096 votes (45.9%).

Voters faced challenges in Dallas County, a Crockett stronghold, and in Williamson County, just north of Austin. Republicans in both counties eliminated countywide vote centers — which had allowed voters to cast ballots at any location — and now require residents to vote at their assigned precinct.

On Tuesday, many voters in both counties reported confusion over where to vote, prompting the Crockett and Talarico campaigns to call for extended voting hours.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement on James Talarico’s primary victory in the Texas Senate race:

“James Talarico has spent years fighting for Texans in the state house, where he went to bat for teachers and students, fought to lower the cost of health care, and took on corruption in politics,” the DSCC said. “Now, he’s ready to take that fight to the U.S. Senate.”

Early Wednesday morning, Crockett conceded and called for the party to unite behind Talarico.

“This is about the future of all 30 million Texans and getting America back on track,” she said in a statement. “With the primary behind us, Democrats must rally around our nominees and win. I’m committed to doing my part and will continue working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.”

New: Crockett concedes.

“This morning I called James and congratulated him on becoming the Senate nominee. Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person. This is about the future of all 30 million Texans and getting America…

— Adam Wren (@adamwren) March 4, 2026

People on social media shared their thoughts on Talarico’s win. Some see Talarico’s victory as a significant moment for Texas Democrats, who haven’t won a statewide race in decades, and as someone who could broaden the party’s appeal beyond its base.

The general election is Nov. 3.

It’s still unclear who Talarico will face in November. No candidate secured a majority in the three-way Republican primary, sending Sen. John Cornyn into a May 26 runoff with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Voter rolls are updated regularly, and some voters may be removed if their status changes, they have not voted in two general elections, or they have not responded to address verification notices.

Several organizations, including Rock the Vote, offer tools to check registration status.

You can verify your voter registration status on the Texas Secretary of State’s website, where you can view your status, address, county, voter ID number and party affiliation. A status of “active” means you are eligible to vote.