Texas Gov. Greg Abbott predicted Rep. Jasmine Crockett will “get crushed” in the polls as she launches her Senate campaign.
His remarks came just as Crockett officially entered the race, following weeks of speculation and internal reshuffling among Democrats hoping to mount a credible statewide challenge.
Abbott previewed his criticism the day before Crockett’s announcement, telling Texans that her political approach is out of step with the state.
He said her district may reward her style, but Texas broadly would not, warning that “Jasmine Crockett about to learn the hard way that most Texans are very different from her district, her base & her values.”
Jasmine Crockett about to learn the hard way that most Texans are very different from her district, her base & her values.
She’ll be pummeled for her progressive socialist agenda & get crushed by the Republican nominee for Senate.
The Texas political cemetery is filled with…
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 7, 2025
The Texas Republican added that she would “be pummeled for her progressive socialist agenda & get crushed by the Republican nominee for Senate,” predicting that she would soon join what he called a long list of failed statewide hopefuls.
Abbott also quipped that he looked forward to “watching the circus” and keeping the Senate seat Republican red.
“On the bright side for her, maybe she’ll end up with a job on The View,” he mocked.
Crockett made her candidacy official on Monday, presenting herself as a fighter ready to take on what she described as dangerous national forces.
I am deeply moved by the personal stories and trust that so many Texans have placed in me. I'm forever grateful and believe it comes with heavy responsibility.
That’s why I’ve made the difficult decision to end my campaign for Senate and run to represent the newly drawn CD-33. pic.twitter.com/ABCioIHDVc
— Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) December 8, 2025
Her entry came shortly after former Rep. Collin Allred abandoned his own Senate aspirations, instead choosing to pursue a House seat.
Allred said the party could not risk a prolonged and damaging internal battle, arguing in a statement that a divisive primary could weaken Democrats against what he called the “danger” of President Trump and Republican contenders.
Once Allred stepped aside, Crockett quickly filed her paperwork ahead of the deadline.
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At a campaign gathering, she told supporters that many urged her to remain in the House, but she wanted a larger platform.
“There are a lot of people that said, ‘You got to stay in the House. We need our voice. We need you there.’ And I understand, but what we need is for me to have a bigger voice,” she the Texas Democrat stated.
She cast her decision as a response to what she believes is a critical moment for the country.
During her launch event, she said she was “done watching the American dream on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug,” announcing that she was stepping into what she described as a political fight that requires “the gloves” to come off.
Crockett declared that she could have remained secure in her House seat indefinitely but chose otherwise because, in her view, Texas faces a situation that is “life or death. It’s all or nothing. It’s now or never.”
She also argued that Democratic hopes in Texas depend on voter turnout rather than any single personality.
Addressing a crowd of supporters, she declared, “Texas turns blue. It won’t be because of any one candidate, but because of each and every one of you doing your part.”
Crockett then challenged skeptics who insist Texas is firmly red, telling attendees that critics have “no idea what Crockett’s crew will do” and that “they are lying” when they insist the state cannot shift politically.
Crockett’s primary will place her against state Rep. James Talarico, who welcomed her into the race, saying their party’s “movement is rooted in unity over division.”
The winner of the Democratic contest will face either Sen. John Cornyn or a Republican challenger such as Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Under state rules, if no candidate secures more than half the vote in the March 3 primary, the top two move to a May runoff.
Cornyn’s campaign wasted no time painting Crockett as an extremist. He described her as “radical, theatrical and ineffective” while promoting a video portraying her as aligned with far-left positions.
The video referenced her past remarks, including a claim that “it is not a criminal violation to enter the country illegally” and her controversial comments targeting prominent Republicans.
Cornyn’s team argued that she represents a fringe ideology out of touch with Texas voters.
The senator said his campaign would ensure that voters understand what he called the “absurd” nature of her candidacy, saying it would also benefit Republicans running in down-ballot races.
He noted that President Trump has identified several newly redrawn House seats as priorities for the party.
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Cornyn remarked that he did not prefer one Democratic opponent over the other, arguing that both “are flawed candidates.”
Everyone knows Crockett will be soundly defeated.
We're six months out from a runoff, and Cornyn's ALREADY stolen $40 million that should have gone to Georgia, NC, Michigan, etc.
He wants to sacrifice the Majority by spending $100M on his losing primary race.
Beyond selfish. https://t.co/1LIEqz4tC4
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) December 8, 2025
Paxton also weighed in, labeling her “Crazy Jasmine Crockett” and insisting that “everyone knows” she will “be soundly defeated.”
Crockett released a launch video on Monday that incorporated audio clips of President Trump referring to her as “low IQ.”
In the video, she turns toward the camera and smiles as the audio plays, ending with a title card promoting her campaign website.
On social media, she wrote, “Texas, let’s win this thing,” alongside her campaign slogans.
Texas, let’s win this thing. #JasmineForUS #TexasTough pic.twitter.com/VthTb93kur
— Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) December 8, 2025
Her consideration of a Senate run had been apparent for months. On SiriusXM in October, she said new polling made clear that she could win the primary, telling listeners that she was evaluating her options.
She suggested that if political opponents wanted to remove her from her House seat, there might be “karma” in her taking a statewide seat in return.
Crockett has sought to boost her profile within the Democratic caucus over the past year, though she has come up short in several leadership bids.
She ran for top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, as well as chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.
