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Vice President Kamala Harris has endorsed U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in Texas’s Democratic primary for Senate, backing a candidate who is trying to secure the party nomination in a state where Republicans dominate. Crockett is seeking to win the nomination Tuesday against state Rep. James Talarico as Democrats weigh whether their nominee can compete in November.
Crockett’s campaign spokesperson said Harris recorded a robocall with the endorsement. The support from a top national Democratic figure comes as Crockett faces concerns among some party members that she may be too controversial to succeed in a general election.
The Democratic Senate primary pits Crockett, a longtime member of Congress, against Talarico, who is emphasizing appeal to Republicans in Texas. Talarico’s strategy reflects the reality that Texas has been a difficult environment for Democrats to win statewide office.
Crockett has built a national profile in Washington, where she has been known as a forceful rhetorical presence on Capitol Hill. Her supporters say that approach has energized some voters who want Democratic leaders willing to confront President Donald Trump and his allies on the right.
The primary Tuesday is described as the nation’s first big contest of the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats’ hopes in Texas center on whether a favorable alignment of factors could emerge in November, despite the race being seen as a long shot for the party.
The Harris endorsement also came on a day when Trump visited Corpus Christi, Texas. With days left before the primary, Trump had not publicly backed incumbent Sen. John Cornyn or any of the challengers presenting themselves as stronger allies of Trump.