In an explosive last-minute shakeup, Rep. Jasmine Crockett announced Monday (Dec. 8) that she’s running for U.S. Senate. The Root 100 honoree shared the news on the final day candidates can qualify for the primary election, and the support has already been overwhelmingly positive. Her star-power and influence is so fierce, that according to CNN, the Democratic frontrunner, former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, dropped out of the Senate race.
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Crockett used President Donald Trump’s “low IQ” insult to launch her Senate bid on X. “How about this new one they have? Their new star, Crockett. How about her? She’s the new star of the Democrat Party, Jasmine Crockett. They’re in big trouble,” Trump can be heard saying in the clip. ““Somebody said the other day, she’s one of the leaders of the party. I said you gotta be kidding.”
As Trump’s various shady comments rambled on, Crockett turned to face the camera before folding her arms and smiling with the text: “Crockett for U.S. Senate.”
Reactions 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.
Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko said, per Fox News, how “Republicans should be terrified. She’s smart, fearless, relentless, and she doesn’t back down from anybody. This is the matchup Texas deserves. Let’s go.”
What does Crockett’s Senate bid mean for America — particularly Black Americans? Her announcement came 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 hers, 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.”
During a hype 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 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.”
The former attorney 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 President Trump: “I’m coming for you.”
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