FORT WORTH — U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Thursday forcefully pushed back against the notion that she can’t win the Senate general election, a narrative that persists in the run-up to the March 3 primary against state Rep. James Talarico of Austin.
Crockett said as a civil rights lawyer, small business owner, former state representative and sitting member of Congress, she has more experience than Talarico, her Democratic rival who is a white man. Crockett added Texas’ population is 61% people of color who can influence general elections.
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“When you say I’m not electable, what do you mean?” Crockett asked during a news conference after an appearance at the Potter’s House in Fort Worth.
And during remarks at the Potter’s House, she said it was important to judge her on her qualifications.
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“I’m not running because I am Black or because I’m a woman. I’m running because I am the most experienced person in this race,” Crockett said.
Crockett also evoked the name of Ann Richards, the last Democrat to serve as Texas governor.
Chitra Calderon, 20, takes a selfie with U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate (center), at Oak Lawn Branch Library on the first day of early voting, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
“If you know your history there also was this ‘she’s not electable thing,’” Crockett told supporters. “It tends to be said about women.”
Crockett, who lives in Dallas, entered the Senate race with a lead over Talarico, which most polls show she maintains.
But Talarico gained steam this week when late-night host Stephen Colbert posted a segment with him online after CBS said it was advised that broadcasting the segment on the regular show could trigger Federal Communications Commission equal-time rules requiring other candidates in the race be given similar exposure.
The segment racked up millions of views on YouTube and Talarico raised $2.5 million in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, a super PAC backing Talarico has aired negative ads questioning Crockett’s electability and using a grimy filter, prompting Crockett to accuse the group of “darkening my skin” and saying the attacks are “straight up racist” and undermine party unity.
In response Talarico reiterated his support for eliminating super PACs but declined to criticize the ads, saying, “Legally, I cannot do anything about what any super PAC does,” and adding he avoids watching outside spots “for my own mental health.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, speaks during a press conference following the congressional deposition of Les Wexner in the Jeffrey Epstein case, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in New Albany, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Joshua A. Bickel / AP
On Thursday Crockett criticized Talarico for not standing firmly against the super PAC ads.
“Any elected representative needs to always be very clear on certain things,” Crockett said. “Granted, we are not allowed to coordinate with super PACs whatsoever, but it’s not like they’re not watching.”
“It’s just frustrating,” Crockett said of the ads. “As a Black woman and a civil rights lawyer, I stand up, I speak out on behalf of everyone.”
Crockett, who is juggling her duties in Congress with running for Senate, has a full day of campaigning in North Texas. She had “conversations” with voters in Fort Worth and Richardson, as well as appearances in Irving and Waxahachie.
In Fort Worth, Crockett urged her supporters to tune out the noise and vote.
Primary candidates for U.S. Senate Rep. Jasmine Crockett (right), D-Dallas, and state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, participate in a debate during the Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Convention, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Georgetown. (Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune via AP, Pool)
Bob Daemmrich / AP
“We need to focus on things like actually increasing turnout,” Crockett said. “I connect with people that are not okay with politics as usual… leaning in and grabbing those folk up and getting them involved, that is where the win comes from.”
Forest Hill resident Nicole Pruitt said Crockett is the best choice to win the Senate seat.
“She stood for us when others were too afraid to do so,” Pruitt said. “She is tough.”