In a Texas Senate race that could end a 30‑year losing streak, candidates are deciding whether Donald Trump should be the focal point of their campaigns.
Democratic hopefuls are navigating a crowded field as the party seeks to flip the state’s lone Senate seat. The stakes are high, because a win would give Democrats a foothold in the Senate before the 2026 midterms that will decide control of Congress.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett opened her Senate bid with a launch video that was almost silent. Audio of Trump’s insults played over the footage, including several instances where he called her a “very low‑IQ person.” The clip ended with Crockett breaking into a smile.
On Monday, Crockett addressed Trump directly: “Trump, I know you’re watching, so let me tell you directly,” she said. “You’re not entitled to a damn thing in Texas. You better get to work because I’m coming for you.”
Trump replied the next day aboard Air Force One, telling reporters that Crockett’s candidacy is “a gift to Republicans” and “I can’t even believe she’s a politician, actually.”
State Rep. James Talarico, in contrast, has built a following with a less combative style. In his campaign launch video he said, “The biggest divide in our country is not left versus right. It’s top versus bottom.”
He is a former schoolteacher working toward a master’s degree in divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and he has gained attention by posting viral social media content that challenges Republicans’ claims to Christian values. He has largely avoided the Trump debate.
Republicans have been crystal clear. Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, said in a recent podcast interview that the Republican president will campaign aggressively next year and the party will “put him on the ballot.”
Neil Newhouse, a veteran Republican pollster, added, “He is the greatest vote energizer in the history of politics,” but cautioned that “the challenge is that he does it as much for Democrats as he does for Republicans.”
Democrats have also used Trump criticism to raise money. U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D‑Ariz., recently appeared in a video telling service members that they should not follow “illegal orders.” Trump responded by accusing him of “seditious behavior” that is “punishable by death.”
Kelly launched a national media tour and sent out a flurry of fundraising emails for himself and other Democrats. He said Trump has bullied everyone in his career, “but not now, because I won’t let it happen.”
John Anzalone, a longtime Democratic pollster, said, “Trump is the red meat that drives donors,” and added, “There are clearly some candidates that are playing towards the donor world that don’t actually make a great argument for winning races. But it’s great for clicks and making money. And money is the first primary that you need to win.”
New Jersey Governor‑elect Mikie Sherrill said that Trump motivates his critics to vote, but it is not enough for Democrats to rely solely on anti‑Trump fervor. “Trump makes a difference. He’s a forcing mechanism to coalesce the party,” she said. “But to really turn out the vote in a really strong manner, you have got to run a really sharp campaign.”
When Democrats talk about Trump, she added, “You can’t just say, oh, I’m so upset that Trump demolished the East Wing of the White House,” but that they need to connect his actions to voters’ everyday lives. “Look, there’s a tariff regime that is being run that is enriching the president to the tune of $3 billion, and you’re paying more for everything from your cup of coffee in the morning to the groceries that you’re buying to cook your family dinner at night.”
Austin Cook, a senior aide for Democrat Elissa Slotkin’s 2024 U.S. Senate campaign in Michigan, said, “In the not‑too‑distant future, Trump will not be on the ballot and that will be a challenge for both parties,” and added that Trump is “a starting gun for Democratic enthusiasm. But soon we won’t have him as a foil.”
Newhouse warned that Trump’s popularity does not necessarily transfer to candidates he supports, “but there isn’t an alternative.” He said, “What they are trying to do here is basically wrap themselves up in him, hope that his approval and the economic numbers improve and get their voters out to the polls to match the Democrats’ intensity.”
The White House has said that Trump will be on the road more in the coming months. He hosted his first rally in a while in Pennsylvania on Tuesday evening, where he blamed Democrats for inflation. “They gave you high prices,” he said, adding that “we’re bringing those prices down rapidly.”
Key Takeaways
- Jasmine Crockett is using Trump as the centerpiece of her Texas Senate campaign, while James Talarico adopts a softer, issue‑focused approach.
- Republicans rely on Trump to energize voters, with senior pollster Neil Newhouse noting he is a “greatest vote energizer.”
- Democrats have mixed strategies: some use Trump criticism to raise money, others emphasize everyday‑life impacts and sharp campaigning.
With the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race on the horizon, the Texas Senate contest is a microcosm of the broader national battle over Trump’s influence. How each side balances that influence will shape the political landscape for years to come.
Hi, I’m Cameron R. Hayes, the journalist, editor, and creator behind NewsOfFortWorth.com. I built this platform with a simple purpose — to deliver fast, clear, and trustworthy news that keeps Fort Worth informed and connected.
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