A high-profile Democratic lawmaker’s bid for the U.S. Senate has come to an abrupt end.
According to Fox News, Rep. Jasmine Crockett conceded her primary race Wednesday morning after losing to state Rep. James Talarico, a lesser-known Democrat who secured the party’s nomination.
Crockett, a second-term congresswoman who had emerged as one of her party’s most visible progressive voices, had declined to seek reelection to her House seat in order to run statewide. With her term ending in January, the loss leaves her without an elected office.
In a social media post, Crockett said she called Talarico and “congratulated him on becoming the Senate nominee.”
She urged Democrats to unify ahead of the general election.
“We must remain united because this is bigger than any one person,” she wrote, adding, “This is about the future of all 30 million Texans and getting America back on track.”
“With the primary behind us, Democrats must rally around our nominees and win. I’m committed to doing my part and will continue working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.”
Her defeat sparked a wave of online commentary. Memes circulated on X, including posts declaring “STRAIGHT OUTTA CONGRESS.”
Commentator Al Robinson weighed in, writing, “When your campaign message is built on hatred … division … and mocking entire groups of people … eventually voters get tired of it.”
“Rep. Jasmine Crockett tried to build a brand on insults … calling people ‘white tears,’ throwing around Nazi comparisons, and making politics nothing more than a circus of outrage. But here is the uncomfortable reality. Leadership requires stability. Leadership requires responsibility. Leadership requires building something … not just tearing people down,” Robinson added.
“When your entire political strategy is built on insults instead of solutions … the result is predictable. You lose.”
Crockett’s campaign had faced criticism throughout the race, including over an announcement video featuring audio of President Donald Trump calling her “low IQ.”
The Texas Senate contest remains one of the most closely watched races in the country. On the Republican side, Sen. John Cornyn is heading into a runoff with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The winner in November is expected to play a pivotal role in determining which party controls the Senate.
