XPost: alt.politics.elections, sac.politics, talk.politics.guns   
   XPost: alt.war.civil.usa   
   From: wzzt@gmail.com   
      
   Rep. Jasmine Crockett has left some of her fellow House Democrats   
   infuriated after launching a bid for U.S. Senate in Texas.   
      
   Why it matters: Many in the party fear the anti-Trump firebrand will   
   alienate swing voters and drag down Democrats in the state if she   
   clinches the nomination — including in several key House races that   
   could decide control of the lower chamber.   
      
   "She might win a primary, but she ain't winning a general in Texas,"   
   said a senior House Democrat who, like others quoted in this story,   
   spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid thoughts about a   
   colleague. "It's concerning for [swing] districts ... I think it's a bad   
   decision," said a second House Democrat.   
      
   What she's saying: "It's hard to get a clear picture of who the Texans   
   are from the fog of Washington," Crockett shot back in a statement to   
   Axios.   
      
   "My message is one that reaches people who are often ignored by the   
   political class. I'm not running a campaign focused on insider politics   
   ... I'm focused on reaching all 30 million Texans and earning their   
   trust." Driving the news: Crockett, a second-term House member from a   
   safely Democratic district in Dallas, launched her Senate bid on Monday   
   after months of speculation.   
      
   Her announcement came just hours after Democratic former Rep. Colin   
   Allred withdrew his campaign to run for House instead, making Crockett   
   and state Rep. James Talarico the two leading Democratic candidates.   
      
   A superstar among the Democratic base for her no-holds-barred style of   
   political combat, polling has placed Crockett as the frontrunner over   
   Talarico.   
      
   The big picture: Democrats see an opportunity to win statewide office in   
   Texas for the first time in decades.   
      
   Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) faces a close primary with state Attorney   
   General Ken Paxton, who Democrats see as beatable due to his many   
   scandals and right-wing views.   
      
   Further down the ballot, the party will be trying to defend Democratic   
   Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, unseat GOP Rep. Monica De La   
   Cruz and compete in several other open seats.   
      
   Between the lines: A third House Democrat who spoke anonymously said a   
   NOTUS article about Senate Republicans waging a covert campaign to nudge   
   Crockett into the race has been making the rounds among members.   
      
   "Everybody's talking about that," the lawmaker said, adding that while   
   "the base loves" Crockett's combative brand, "people just feel that   
   there isn't a lot of reach there."   
      
   "There's a lot of concern she won't win. If you have Paxton in there,   
   particularly, it seems like a good target," said a fourth House   
   Democrat. "I hope Texas picks someone that can get us a seat."   
      
   A fifth Democrat said: "Even if it's Paxton on the [GOP] ticket,   
   [Crockett] doesn't give us a shot of winning the Senate, or at least   
   doesn't put us in the game."   
      
   The other side: "Crockett is an extremely talented messenger and has   
   engaged millions of Americans across the country," Rep. Becca Balint   
   (D-Vt.), Crockett's fellow Progressive Caucus member, told Axios.   
      
   "She understands rough and tumble Texas politics and can more than hold   
   her own," Balint added.   
      
   "I've got a six-word response," said Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), "I believe   
   that she can win."   
      
   The bottom line: The belief that Crockett can't win has left some   
   lawmakers angrily grumbling that she is putting her personal ambition   
   ahead of the party's interests.   
      
   "Just look to see how many House members endorse her candidacy," a sixth   
   House Democrat told Axios.   
      
   https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/jasmine-crockett-house-democrats-senate-   
   texas   
      
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