Jasmine Crockett Leads Texas Senate Primary Polls
Representative Jasmine Crockett appears to be the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming 2026 Texas Senate primary, based on a recent survey from the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs.
With the March primaries just around the corner, the poll indicates that among likely Democratic voters, Crockett holds a 47% approval rating, surpassing state Rep. James Talarico at 39% and Ahmad Hassan at a mere 2%. Interestingly, 12% of respondents remain undecided.
Crockett’s popularity is a significant factor in her lead, as 84% of potential Democratic primary voters have a positive view of her, with only 8% expressing an unfavorable opinion. Furthermore, a striking 92% of voters feel they know enough about her to form an opinion. Talarico, meanwhile, registers an approval rating of 85% among voters, with 79% viewing him positively and 6% negatively.
When it comes to favorability ratings among general election voters, Crockett leads slightly with 45%, compared to Talarico’s 43%. However, she does face a 36% unfavorable rating, in contrast to Talarico’s 23%. Crockett enjoys a higher recognition rate than Talarico—81% versus 66%—but both lag behind Republican figures like Paxton and Cornyn, who have 89% and 86% recognition, respectively.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reportedly looking into both candidates’ airtime during their appearances, amid accusations that they may have breached rules regarding equal media access. Crockett utilized around 17 minutes divided into three segments, while Talarico appeared in one segment lasting nine minutes. This scrutiny stems from FCC guidelines mandating equal airtime for all candidates, a policy Crockett’s segment was under before its recent announcement.
Crockett has also made her stance clear against former President Donald Trump and his administration, labeling it “more corrupt and more criminal than any other president.” She expressed that the MAGA faction is significantly responsible for political violence in the current climate.
Interestingly, she believes some Republicans may be inclined to support her in the general election due to her collaborative spirit. “What they want is someone who knows who they are,” she mentioned in an interview, noting that she’s receiving encouraging messages from GOP voters who appreciate her non-disruptive approach and issue awareness.
In another interview, Crockett spoke about crime, asserting that some offenses are committed out of survival necessity—drawing attention to decisions made by Dallas County DA John Clouzot regarding low-level thefts. She asserted a link between economic hardship and crime tendencies, maintaining that not everyone in such situations turns to unlawful acts.
However, she did face backlash for incorrectly claiming during a House debate that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin had received donations from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It turned out the donor was a different physician with the same name, prompting Zeldin to clarify publicly. Despite the rectification, Crockett has yet to address the statement.
Early in her political journey, Crockett was involved in various private equity endeavors, including sectors like pharmaceuticals and cannabis, even as she advocated for marijuana decriminalization. She stands firmly in favor of full legalization for both medical and recreational use.
Still, some have criticized her communication skills, but she points to her considerable social media following as validation for her leadership roles, noting her extensive online engagement and view counts. Following a lackluster performance in the caucus vote, she chose to withdraw from the leadership race, acknowledging the preference for other leadership styles.
Lastly, Chair Lisa McClain shared that Crockett was photographed with a police escort at the airport, allegedly bypassing security checks, including for a disabled individual. Crockett has not commented on this incident.
