In an explosive last-minute shakeup, Rep. Jasmine Crockett announced Monday (Dec. 8) that she’s running for U.S. Senate. In her announcement video, Crockett turns to face the camera, folds her arms and smiles as the text “Crockett for U.S. Senate” flashes as President Donald Trump’s “low IQ” insult to her plays.
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The Root 100 honoree shared the news on the final day candidates can qualify for the primary election. According to CNN, Democratic frontrunner and former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred dropped out of the Senate race following the news.
During a campaign rally at the Frederick Douglass Human Services and Justice Center in Dallas, Crockett declared she’s “Done with politics as usual.”
“I’m done watching rural hospitals and public schools close their doors. I’m done watching parents be afraid to send their kids to school or the mall or the movies because Republicans have flooded our streets with guns,” she said.
She added: “I’m done with the senators sitting around doing nothing while Trump takes your hard earned money, skims your Social Security, slashes Medicare, and gives tax breaks to billionaires. I’m done watching the American Dream on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug.”
But what does Crockett’s Senate bid mean for America…particularly Black Americans? Her announcement comes at a strategic time amidst major political shakeup in Texas. The state’s Republicans are attempting to redraw the state’s congressional map, which would effectively eliminate a handful of safe Democratic districts — including Crockett’s — which could make her reelection more difficult. Redistricting would also yield more seats for Republicans in the battle for control of the House.
Crockett’s Texas Senate bid is also critical to the national Democratic Party’s long-shot hopes of regaining a majority in the Senate, especially in the Lone Star State who is known for its deep-red history and far-right loyalty.
When asked by CNN host Laura Coates, “How will you make voters who previously voted for Trump — particularly given that you have been an outspoken critic, and he has inserted himself? […] How will you convert those who are supportive of him to voters for you,” Crockett didn’t mince words.
“Yeah, I don‘t know that we’ll necessarily convert all of Trump‘s supporters,” Crockett, 44, responded. “That’s not our goal.”
Reactions to Crockett’s announcement were swift online.
One X user wrote: “I live in Texas, everyone one who has her back, doesn’t live here! I love her and will do everything to help her….”
“Texas, let’s send fearless, brilliant Jasmine Crockett to the Senate to fight for us like hell, she’s Texas Tough and exactly who we need!,” one person wrote.
“Republicans should be terrified. She’s smart, fearless, relentless, and she doesn’t back down from anybody,” said Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko said, per Fox News. “This is the matchup Texas deserves. Let’s go.”
During the Dallas rally, Crockett also addressed the “elephant in the room,” clarifying she’s not worried about running for office in a “red” state like Texas. “If Mississippi can flip seats, then why can’t Texas? If Georgia can elect two Democrats to the United States Senate, then Texas can too,” she said.
Crockett also had a special message just for Trump: “I’m coming for you.”
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