Former Texas Representative Beto O’Rourke smiled on Tuesday as videos surfaced indicating his potential support for Jasmine Crockett’s Senate candidacy. O’Rourke, who has run for Senate before, hinted that if Crockett decides to join the race, he would back her. This comes after speculation about her leading position in the Democratic primary, especially if another prominent figure enters the fray.
“I think Jasmine Crockett is great, so if that’s what she wants to give her more empowerment,” he stated regarding her possible candidacy. O’Rourke has faced several setbacks in his political career—running unsuccessfully for President in 2020 and for governor in 2022—losing three significant elections in just four years.
As Democrats look ahead to 2026, they’re again hopeful about flipping Texas to their side, despite O’Rourke’s past losses and those of former Representative Colin. Historically, Republican candidates have dominated in Texas. However, recent polling suggests that the race could tighten if Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton moves ahead in the general election.
Current surveys show Paxton leading Senator John Cornyn by a considerable margin, and while Cornyn’s supporters assert that the race is still early, many suspect that the dynamics may shift as the primaries approach.
Meanwhile, Republican Representative Wesley Hunt is making waves with statewide ads, likely aiming to boost his familiarity among voters he currently does not represent.
Crockett appears to be maintaining a narrow lead in the Democratic field. Recent polls indicate she holds around 35% of Democratic voter support, with her closest competitors trailing—Allred at 20%, and both O’Rourke and Congressman Joaquin Castro at 13%. Interestingly, less than 20% of Democratic voters have made up their minds about their ideal candidate.
While Crockett hasn’t committed to running yet, she’s considering the possibility. “You know, depending on the number of people you reach out to, we’ll determine if there’s actually something to consider,” she mentioned in a video posted on July 9th. “But for now, I’m proud to serve the Texas 30th Congressional District.”
She also commented on her name being thrown into the Senate race, suggesting it stems from fears among Republicans.
Allred, who previously underperformed in a matchup against Republican Senator Ted Cruz, has been the only major Democratic candidate to formally enter the race. On the other hand, Terry Burch, a retired astronaut, is new to the political world and faces challenges in gaining recognition and funding.
Crockett has stirred controversy with her confrontational approach to engaging Republicans, particularly over figures like Trump. Critics have pointed out that her style might alienate independent voters and moderate Democrats in a general election context.
She notably confronted Governor Greg Abbott in a speech earlier this year and has refused to apologize for past comments. More recently, she drew criticism for labeling Trump supporters as having “mental disorders,” and in another instance, called Trump an “aspiring Hitler.”
A spokesperson for Crockett has not responded to requests for further comments.
