The race was called overnight after the Texas Supreme Court began considering the issue following confusion over voting deadlines.
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Multiple media outlets have reported that Texas Representative James Talarico, whose Christian faith and populist message have attracted national attention, has upset Representative Jasmine Crockett in the March 3 primary for the Democratic nomination for the Senate.
The race was called overnight after confusion over voting deadlines prompted a review by the Texas Supreme Court and Crockett announced that results were not expected until the next day.
As of Wednesday morning, March 4, 94% of votes had been counted, according to the Associated Press, with Talarico receiving just under 53% of the vote, ahead of Crockett’s roughly 46%.
By early morning Texas time, Crockett officially surrendered and announced in a statement that he had called Talarico to congratulate him on the victory. He said Texas is “ready to turn blue” and urged the party to remain united “because this is bigger than anyone.”
“This is about the future of all 30 million Texans and getting America back on track,” Crockett said. “Now that the primaries are over, Democrats must rally around their candidate and win.”
The campaign was at times hotly contested in its final weeks, but logistical problems arose on election night. There were reports that voters were refused access to polling places in two major counties, including Crockett’s hometown of Dallas.
Local voters have long been allowed to vote anywhere in the county, but Republicans in Dallas and Williamson counties have opted to change the rules for the 2026 primary, requiring them to vote only in their assigned precincts.
The judge ordered the voting period to be extended by two hours at the request of both Democratic candidates. But the Texas Supreme Court ruled that Dallas County ballots cast after the original polls had to be separated from other ballots, per an order from state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Crockett blamed the chaos, claiming Republicans were “targeting” Dallas County and vowed to further delay the results. A spokesperson for her campaign told The Associated Press that she plans to file a lawsuit alleging disenfranchisement.
Talarico, a 36-year-old former middle school teacher whom Democrats hope will hold the key to victory in the Republican-dominated state, argued that American politics is more a matter of “top versus bottom” than the traditional liberal versus conservative worldview.
Crockett entered the race three months after Talarico and was considered by many to be the favorite given his national name recognition and ability to raise money. Although he started with a double-digit lead, according to his own campaign’s polls, he raked in millions of dollars in a primary that was more about the electability of the two candidates than their narrow differences in policy positions.
Talarico has combined an uncanny ability to attract attention, including an exclusive online appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” with a message focused on improving wages and addressing housing and child care affordability.
A Democrat hasn’t won a U.S. Senate race in Texas since 1988, but Talarico’s supporters argue he was in a better position to win over moderate and conservative voters than Crockett, known for his quick-witted jousting with President Donald Trump and his allies.
Kathryn Palmer is USA TODAY’s political reporter. She can be reached at the following address: kapalmer@usatoday.com And to X@Kathryn Purml. Sign up for her daily politics newsletter here.
