Texas Senate primary: Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico battle for spot on November ballot

As the midterm elections officially begin, the most hotly contested races of the day are in Texas including the Democrats’ competitive primary race for U.S. Senate.

WASHINGTON — Texas Democrats will be weighing in on the competitive primary race for U.S. Senate.

As midterm elections officially begin Tuesday, the most hotly contested races of the day are in Texas, with fierce competition on both sides of the aisle for U.S. Senate nominations. It’s possible that the Republican campaign will continue into a runoff.

After months of speculation, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett officially announced her run for Senate in December, joining State Rep. James Talarico and former Congressman Colin Allred, who later dropped out of the race. Dr. Ahmed R. Hassan is also on the Democratic primary ballot.

Live results for the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate will be posted here as the polls start to close at 7 p.m.

Throughout the run-up to the primary election, the race has been tight between Crockett and Talarico, with both polling high among potential voters.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face the winner of the Republican primary in November. Among the candidates in that race are incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt.

If either primary goes to a runoff, that election will be held on May 26. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.

Who is Jasmine Crockett?

Crockett started her legal career as a public defender and later served as a criminal defense, civil rights and personal injury attorney before she was sworn into the Texas House of Representatives in 2021. The following year, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Texas’s 30th district, which covers parts of Dallas and Tarrant counties.

Who is James Talarico?

Talarico is a former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian who has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2018. He has served as the vice chairman of the House’s Trade, Workforce and Economic Development Committee and as a member of the Public Education and House Administration committees.