Former Texas Representative Beto O’Rourke smiled during an event on Tuesday.
Videos acquired by the Daily Caller News Foundation suggest that O’Rourke, who has previously run for Senate, might back Jasmine Crockett if she decides to enter the Senate race. There’s still a chance for Crockett to join the state Senate contest, especially since some believe that if a prominent left-leaning candidate jumps in, it could change the dynamics of the Democratic primary significantly.
“I think Jasmine Crockett is great,” O’Rourke stated when asked about supporting her potential candidacy. He has been active in politics, having run unsuccessfully for President in 2020 and for Governor in 2022, which means he has faced a series of setbacks in major elections within a short time frame.
Democrats are hopeful about winning Texas in 2026, especially after O’Rourke’s prior attempts didn’t pan out. When asked last Sunday about possibly running for Senate again during a CNN interview, he responded with uncertainty, saying, “I don’t know.”
While Texas has typically favored Republican candidates, recent polls indicate that the competitive landscape could shift if Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton proceeds to the general election, enabling Democrat challengers to gain traction.
Interestingly, Paxton has been leading Republican Senator John Cornyn by a significant margin in recent surveys, even though Cornyn’s supporters believe the race will tighten as the primary approaches in March.
Republican Representative Wesley Hunt is also making moves by running ads statewide to increase his visibility among voters beyond his own district.
Crockett has a double-digit lead among Democratic contenders, according to a July poll conducted by the National Republican Senate Committee. She reportedly appeals to about 35% of Democratic voters, with former candidate Allred at 20%, while O’Rourke and Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro have around 13% support. It seems that a significant portion of Democratic voters are still undecided about whom they will support.
Although Crockett hasn’t committed to entering the race just yet, she remains open to the idea. During a recent Instagram video, she mentioned that the decision would depend on how many people show interest in backing her. For the moment, she’s focused on serving Texas’s 30th Congressional District.
She also remarked, “Repubs threw my name into the Texas Senate race… I guess from the fear,” suggesting some political maneuvering at play.
Allred, who has previously held a notable lead over Crockett, is the only Democratic candidate confirmed to enter the race. In previous contests, he struggled, losing to Senator Ted Cruz by more than eight percentage points.
Meanwhile, Terry Burch, a retired NASA astronaut, has announced his candidacy as well. But those new to the political scene can face challenges in gaining recognition and establishing support.
Crockett has stirred controversy due to her aggressive style, often targeting Republicans, including former President Trump. Some fear her approach may alienate moderate Democrats and independent voters should she become a general election candidate.
In March, she criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott, refusing to apologize for her remarks tying him to controversial policies. More recently, she described Trump supporters in a derogatory manner and labeled him as “aspiring Hitler” in another inflammatory comment.
A spokesperson for Crockett did not respond immediately to requests for comment from the DCNF.
