Former Vice President Kamala Harris Endorses Jasmine Crockett in Texas Senate Race
The endorsement, her most significant since leaving office, comes as Ms. Crockett is facing a competitive Democratic primary contest against James Talarico.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has endorsed Representative Jasmine Crockett in Texas’s Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, her most significant endorsement since leaving office.
Ms. Crockett, a second‑term congresswoman, is facing James Talarico, a state representative, in a competitive primary. Ms. Harris delivered her endorsement through a recorded phone message to Democratic voters, urging them to vote early or on Primary Day.
The endorsement, first reported by The Texas Tribune, highlights the long‑standing political relationship between the two women. Ms. Crockett previously served as a national co‑chair of Ms. Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign.
The race reflects differing strategies within the Texas Democratic Party. Ms. Crockett has focused on increasing turnout among core Democratic voters, while Mr. Talarico has emphasized expanding the party’s appeal to independents and moderate Republicans.
The Democratic nominee will face a Republican field that includes Senator John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Representative Wesley Hunt, with a runoff possible if no candidate secures a majority.
The New York Times reports that Ms. Crockett and Ms. Harris have long been political allies. Ms. Crockett was a national co-chairwoman for Ms. Harris’s presidential campaign in 2024 and spoke at the party’s national convention that nominated the vice president.
The Democratic primary contest in Texas has boiled down to two theories of how the party could win a Senate race in the state for the first time since 1988. Ms. Crockett’s argument is that she would attract legions of Black voters and other Democrats who have skipped past general elections.
Ms. Harris, in the call, alluded to the long Democratic slump in Texas. “It’s time to turn Texas blue,” she said.