By Lauren Burke
“We need to stop all the hell that is reigning down on all of our people,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett from a Dallas stage to a cheering standing-room-only crowd.
On December 8, Rep. Crockett, who has built a reputation as a firebrand in Congress in the fight against Trump’s MAGA Republicanism, announced she would run for the U.S. Senate in 2026.
Rep. Crockett will be competing to take on veteran Republican Senator John Cornyn, but there is also a competitive primary. Regardless, Rep. Crockett is likely to be viewed as the frontrunner.
Additionally, nationally known Pastor Dr. Frederick Haynes III, of Friendship West Baptist Church, who introduced Rep. Crockett, will also be running for Congress in 2026. Rev. Haynes has filed to run to be the Democratic nominee in Texas’ 30th congressional district — Crockett’s old district, though redrawn.
In another development, former Congressman Colin Allred announced he is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate to run in the 33rd congressional U.S. House seat in Texas.
There’s no surprise there’s a flood of political news out of Texas because the filing deadlines for congressional races to be decided by voters in November of 2026 are this week. Last week’s decision by the Republican controlled U.S. Supreme Court in favor of the congressional maps drawn by Texas Republicans in August of this year also reset the deck chairs in Texas politics.
“We need a fighter today in light of what’s happening in Washington DC. In light of what’s happening in Austin. We need someone who ain’t scared — we need someone who is ready to fight,” Rev. Haynes told the crowd as he introduced Crockett to the stage in front of a packed room.
A video played beginning with the voice of President Donald Trump making several negative statements about the Congresswoman with the image of a Crockett in profile and then looking straight on into the camera. The Texas Congressman and former prosecutor has never strayed from direct political confrontation with Trump during her time in Congress. She has often won his negative attention.
“There is a responsibility that lies with all of us — especially in this moment,” Congresswoman Crockett started as she took the stage standing at a podium with the words “CROCKETT TEXAS TOUGH” on it.
“There are those who say ain’t no way we tried it 50 kinds of ways — let me be clear y’all have never tried it the JC way,” Crockett confidently told the audience. She also focused on her consistent and energetic pushback on President Trump and his agenda.
The congressional primaries in Texas are March 3, 2026.
