Jasmine Crockett enrages some fellow House Dems with Senate bid
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Rep. Jasmine Crockett speaks at a press conference with fellow congressional Democrats in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 24. Photo: David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images
Rep. Jasmine Crockett has left some of her fellow House Democrats infuriated after launching a bid for U.S. Senate in Texas.
Why it matters: Many in the party fear the anti-Trump firebrand will alienate swing voters and drag down Democrats in the state if she clinches the nomination — including in several key House races that could decide control of the lower chamber.
- "She might win a primary, but she ain't winning a general in Texas," said a senior House Democrat who, like others quoted in this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid thoughts about a colleague.
- "It's concerning for [swing] districts ... I think it's a bad decision," said a second House Democrat.
What she's saying: "It's hard to get a clear picture of who the Texans are from the fog of Washington," Crockett shot back in a statement to Axios.
- "My message is one that reaches people who are often ignored by the political class. I'm not running a campaign focused on insider politics ... I'm focused on reaching all 30 million Texans and earning their trust."
Driving the news: Crockett, a second-term House member from a safely Democratic district in Dallas, launched her Senate bid on Monday after months of speculation.
- Her announcement came just hours after Democratic former Rep. Colin Allred withdrew his campaign to run for House instead, making Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico the two leading Democratic candidates.
- A superstar among the Democratic base for her no-holds-barred style of political combat, polling has placed Crockett as the frontrunner over Talarico.
The big picture: Democrats see an opportunity to win statewide office in Texas for the first time in decades.
- Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) faces a close primary with state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who Democrats see as beatable due to his many scandals and right-wing views.
- Further down the ballot, the party will be trying to defend Democratic Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, unseat GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz and compete in several other open seats.
Between the lines: A third House Democrat who spoke anonymously said a NOTUS article about Senate Republicans waging a covert campaign to nudge Crockett into the race has been making the rounds among members.
- "Everybody's talking about that," the lawmaker said, adding that while "the base loves" Crockett's combative brand, "people just feel that there isn't a lot of reach there."
- "There's a lot of concern she won't win. If you have Paxton in there, particularly, it seems like a good target," said a fourth House Democrat. "I hope Texas picks someone that can get us a seat."
- A fifth Democrat said: "Even if it's Paxton on the [GOP] ticket, [Crockett] doesn't give us a shot of winning the Senate, or at least doesn't put us in the game."
The other side: "Crockett is an extremely talented messenger and has engaged millions of Americans across the country," Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Crockett's fellow Progressive Caucus member, told Axios.
- "She understands rough and tumble Texas politics and can more than hold her own," Balint added.
- "I've got a six-word response," said Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), "I believe that she can win."
The bottom line: The belief that Crockett can't win has left some lawmakers angrily grumbling that she is putting her personal ambition ahead of the party's interests.
- "Just look to see how many House members endorse her candidacy," a sixth House Democrat told Axios.
