North Texas Democrats vie for fewer congressional seats
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North Texas Democrats played musical chairs in redrawn congressional districts in the final hours before yesterday's candidate filing deadline.
- And Dallas congresswoman Jasmine Crockett jumped into the Senate race.
Why it matters: Texas Democrats don't appear to be playing ball with Senate Democratic leaders in Washington.
- Crockett has built a huge online following and fundraising base on the left through her high-profile feuds with President Trump. But many top Democrats doubt she could win a general election.
Driving the news: Crockett, 44, will face state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, 36, in a contest that will pit a new generation of contenders who reflect the growing progressive activism in the red state's restless Democratic Party.
- Polling data showing Crockett as a frontrunner in the Democratic primary for Senate prompted her to join the race, she said during a late afternoon announcement yesterday.
- Crockett said she hadn't planned to leave her Dallas district until her name was tossed around in the Senate discussion.
Friction point: North Texas lost a Democratic-leaning congressional district under a newly drawn map that's in effect for the March primaries.
- Crockett's 30th District was redrawn to include more Black voters and now extends into Tarrant County.
- The 32nd Congressional District now leans Republican and extends into East Texas.
- The reshaped 33rd District, currently held by Fort Worth Democrat Marc Veasey, no longer has Tarrant County precincts.
Zoom in: Crockett's announcement came hours after Colin Allred quit the Senate race and announced a bid for the 33rd District, which pits him against Julie Johnson, who replaced him this year in the 32nd District.
- Dallas pastor Frederick Haynes III filed Monday in the 30th District. Haynes introduced Crockett during her Senate candidacy event, signaling he may have her support to replace her.
The latest: Veasey dropped his congressional reelection bid late Monday and instead filed to run for Tarrant County judge, per the Texas Tribune.
What they're saying: Crockett said she believes she can win in November, and she thinks President Trump and other Republicans know it.
- "I'm a threat to the system that has been holding us back from our full potential," Crockett said. "There's a reason (U.S. Sen.) John Cornyn has been attacking me."