Jasmine Crockett Declines to Campaign with Senate Hopeful James Talarico Amidst Growing Democratic Division

Dallas representative Jasmine Crockett has announced she will not join Senate candidate James Talarico on the campaign trail, despite his status as the Democratic nominee for Texas. While Talarico is currently polling ahead of Republican candidate Ken Paxton, Crockett expressed that she prefers to focus on downballot candidates to avoid the strategy of having one top-ticket candidate overshadowing the rest of the race. Crockett, who lost to Talarico in the Democratic primary, noted that the black community in Texas may not feel significant excitement regarding his candidacy. However, Talarico has urged supporters to heal divisions and has defended his own endorsement of Crockett. TPOR polling shows Talarico holding a 6-point lead over Paxton, while the state has not seen a Democrat win a statewide office since 1994. GOP consultant Matt Mackowiak noted that the lack of unity between the two Democrats is a significant sub-plot that could impact the party's chances in a traditionally red state.

Sources

• The Washington Post
  Rep. Crockett says she’ll be campaigning ‘downballot’ instead of with Talarico
• The Hill
  Crockett suggests she won’t campaign with Talarico, will focus ‘down ballot’
• Newsweek
  James Talarico Faces Unexpected Obstacle from Within His Own Party
• facebook.com
  Rep. Jasmine Crockett told NBC she remains unconvinced Democrat James Talarico can defeat Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas' Senate race
• The Daily Wire
  Jasmine Crockett Says Talarico Has A Black Voter Problem