A Clash of Styles: Crockett and Talarico Face Off in Senate Primary Debate

Two Democrats are set to go head-to-head in a live debate this Saturday, giving voters a chance to compare their approaches ahead of the March election.

Jasmine Crockett, a congresswoman from Dallas, and James Talarico, a state representative from Austin, are competing for the Democratic nomination for U. S. Senate.

Debate Details

• Date: This Saturday
• Time: 2 p.m.
• Broadcast: Online and on smart TV apps

Early voting begins on Feb. 17, just weeks away. The winner will face the Republican nominee in November, aiming for a Democratic victory in a state that hasn't elected a Democrat to statewide office in over 30 years.

Candidate Profiles

Jasmine Crockett

• Style: Fiery and passionate
• Focus: Boosting voter turnout, especially among low-propensity voters
• Goal: Expand the electorate and motivate typically non-voters
• Support: Strong among Black voters

James Talarico

• Style: Emphasizes Christian faith and economic populism
• Focus: Attracting disaffected Republicans and independents while engaging the Democratic base
• Support: Strong among white and Latino voters

Polling and Campaign Strategies

• Recent Polls: Talarico leads Crockett by 9 points.
• Internal Poll: Crockett claims a 13-point lead.
• Talarico's Strategy: Courting Latino voters with Spanish-language ads and rallies featuring Tejano music star Bobby Pulido.
• Crockett's Criticism: Faced backlash for past comments about Latino Texans and immigration, which she has defended.

Unique Campaign Aspects

• Talarico: Gained attention through viral moments and podcast appearances. His progressive views on Christianity have drawn criticism from conservatives.
• Crockett: Maintains strong support among Black voters, a key voting bloc in the Democratic primary.