Texas polls begin to close as Democratic rivals battle in Senate primary | Texas

As polls began to close across Texas on Tuesday evening, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico were locked in a fiercely contested and unpredictable primary that drew record turnout and increased national attention.

The pivotal Senate race, coming in a state where Democrats haven’t held a statewide lead in more than three decades, has become an early test of rival political tactics to challenge Republican dominance and Donald Trump. In recent weeks, the race has raised troubling questions about race, identity and electability for a party seeking a return to power in Washington.

Crockett, a 44-year-old former public defender who has gained a reputation as a rhetorical brawler, promises to galvanize the party’s base — leaving young and nonwhite voters angry at the president and desperate for his leaders to take a more confrontational approach. Talarico, a former middle school teacher and current seminarian, touts a “top-down” economic message that he says can bridge political divides.

The stakes are unusually high because a messy Republican primary that could see Ken Paxton, the state’s scandal-scarred attorney general, emerge as the nominee presents a rare opportunity for Democrats to seriously contest the seat.

There have been huge differences in polls in recent weeks. Although Crockett had a comfortable early lead thanks to his high name recognition, more recent polls have revealed a much closer race.

While Talarico performed well among self-identified liberals, Crockett performed stronger among moderates and some conservative Democrats; Contrary to the impression of some in the party that he is the more progressive candidate in the race.

Crockett, recently endorsed by Kamala Harris, has overwhelming support among Black Democrats, while Talarico consistently maintains a lead among white liberals. Observers say Latino voters, who are expected to make up a quarter to a third of the electorate, will likely determine the outcome of the election.

Texas Democrats hailed both candidates as rising stars who could help the entire slate move up the ballot. Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who narrowly lost to Texas senator Ted Cruz in 2018, did not support either candidate but called them “generational talents”.

“Just look,” said Montserrat Garibay, the Democratic candidate running for the state legislature, pointing to the long line of students waiting to vote on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin on Tuesday afternoon.

“When you have quality candidates, you bring out people, and that’s exactly what they do. Regardless of the outcome, they are both great and will do great things for our state.”

Anusha Adusumilli, a 19-year-old public health student, said she plans to vote for Talarico because she believes he is “a little more progressive” and likes his promise not to accept corporate Pac money.

“I hear a lot of people say they think Texas will go blue this year,” he said. “I’m not exactly sure about it given our history, but I think it’s a better chance than previous years, so I’m really excited.”

Julia Berliner, a 27-year-old doctoral student in ecology, wrestled with what she called the critical question of “what works in Texas.”

“I don’t want to betray the chance to upset Texas,” said the woman, still undecided as she lined up to vote. In the end, she went with her heart and voted for Crockett — “the candidate I’m excited about” [and] I would be proud to represent me.”

Like voters across the country, Texas voters are dissatisfied with Trump’s stances on the economy and immigration.

“Things got worse,” said Raquel Rivas, a 53-year-old caretaker who started a second full-time job to support her undocumented husband, who no longer felt safe working his old jobs. She also supports her four adult children, who struggle to pay food and utility bills.

“We are suffering,” he said.

Voted for Crockett on Tuesday: “Speaking.”

Democrats’ enthusiasm comes as Republicans embark on an increasingly nasty and expensive primary that pits Paxton against four-term Senate incumbent John Cornyn in a multi-way race that will likely be pushed to a runoff.

Democrats and Republicans in Washington argued that if Paxton emerged as a candidate, his legal and ethical problems would present an opportunity for Democrats in the state, which the president left behind by a large 14 percent margin in 2024.