The Democratic Senate hopeful said her experience, toughness lift her over rival James Talarico.
By Gromer Jeffers Jr.
Dallas Morning News
https://www.dallasnews.com/
Gromer Jeffers Jr. / The Dallas Morning News
FORT WORTH — U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Thursday forcefully pushed back against the notion that she can’t win the Senate general election, a narrative that persists in the run-up to the March 3 primary against state Rep. James Talarico of Austin.
Crockett said as a civil rights lawyer, small-business owner, former state representative and sitting member of Congress, she has more experience than Talarico, her Democratic rival who is a white man. Crockett said Texas’ population is 61% people of color who can influence general elections.
“When you say I’m not electable, what do you mean?” Crockett asked during a news conference after an appearance at the Potter’s House in Fort Worth.
In remarks at the Potter’s House, she said it was important to judge her on her qualifications.
“I’m not running because I am Black or because I’m a woman. I’m running because I am the most experienced person in this race,” Crockett said.
Crockett also evoked the name of Ann Richards, the last Democrat to serve as Texas governor.
“If you know your history, there also was this ‘she’s not electable thing,’” Crockett told supporters. “It tends to be said about women.”
Crockett, who lives in Dallas, entered the Senate race with a lead over Talarico, which most polls show she maintains.
But Talarico gained steam this week when late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert posted a segment with the candidate online after CBS said it was advised that broadcasting the segment on the regular show could trigger Federal Communications Commission equal time rules, requiring other candidates in the race be given similar exposure.
The segment racked up millions of views on YouTube, and Talarico raised $2.5 million in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, a super PAC backing Talarico has aired negative ads questioning Crockett’s electability and using a grimy filter, prompting Crockett to accuse the group of “darkening my skin” and saying the attacks are “straight up racist” and undermine party unity.
In response, Talarico reiterated his support for eliminating super PACs but declined to criticize the ads, saying, “Legally, I cannot do anything about what any super PAC does.” He added that adding he avoids watching outside spots “for my own mental health.”
On Thursday Crockett criticized Talarico for not standing firmly against the super PAC ads.
“Any elected representative needs to always be very clear on certain things,” Crockett said. “Granted, we are not allowed to coordinate with super PACs whatsoever, but it’s not like they’re not watching.”
“It’s just frustrating,” Crockett said of the ads. “As a Black woman and a civil rights lawyer, I stand up, I speak out on behalf of everyone.”
Crockett, who is juggling her duties in Congress with running for Senate, had a full day of campaigning in North Texas. She had “conversations” with voters in Fort Worth and Richardson, as well as appearances in Irving and Waxahachie.
In Fort Worth, Crockett urged her supporters to tune out the noise and vote.
“We need to focus on things like actually increasing turnout,” Crockett said. “I connect with people that are not OK with politics as usual … leaning in and grabbing those folk up and getting them involved, that is where the win comes from.”
Forest Hill resident Nicole Pruitt said Crockett is the best choice to win the Senate seat.
“She stood for us when others were too afraid to do so,” Pruitt said. “She is tough.”
The Howard University graduate and Chicago native has covered four presidential campaigns and written extensively about local, state and national politics. Before The News, he was a reporter at The Kansas City Star and The Chicago Defender. You can catch Gromer every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on NBC 5’s Lone Star Politics.
This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
