WASHINGTON – The first debate in Texas’ Democratic Senate primary is now on the calendar.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin will meet Jan. 24, as both seek to broaden their appeal ahead of early voting.
The details:
• Sponsor: Texas AFL-CIO
• When: 2 p.m., Jan. 24
• Where: Committee on Political Education convention, Georgetown, Texas.
The contrast:
• Crockett has positioned herself as the race’s proven progressive, saying Democrats must mobilize alienated left-leaning voters who often sit out elections.
Political Points
• Talarico has emphasized electability, citing his record of flipping a Republican district and saying Democrats need a nominee who can compete statewide.
The stakes: The Democratic nominee will face the winner of a three-way Republican primary among Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston.
Labor’s role: The debate comes before the AFL-CIO’s political arm votes on statewide endorsements, giving the candidates a high-profile chance to appeal to organized labor, long influential in Democratic campaigns.
Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar said the debate at the convention will focus on “issues that matter to Texas workers” and help union members decide who to support in the March 3 Democratic primary. Early voting begins Feb. 17
How to watch it: The one-hour debate will stream on Nexstar Media Group’s local station websites and smart TV apps.
Moderators:
• Gromer Jeffers Jr., political writer, The Dallas Morning News.
• Daniel Marin, anchor, KXAN-TV, Austin.