Harris Backs Crockett in Texas Senate Primary with Robocall Endorsement

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has recorded a robocall endorsing U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett in the Texas Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate. This endorsement marks Harris's most significant public backing since concluding her term 13 months prior. Crockett is competing against state Representative James Talarico for the nomination, with the winner set to challenge Republican Senator John Cornyn.

Endorsement Details

The endorsement was delivered via a recorded phone message distributed to Texas Democrats, as initially reported by The Texas Tribune.

In the call, Harris stated, "Texas has the chance to send a fighter like Jasmine Crockett to the United States Senate."

She further added that Crockett possesses "the experience and record to hold Donald Trump and his billionaire cronies accountable." Harris concluded the message by encouraging early voting or in-person voting on Election Day, stating, "It's time to turn Texas blue."

The Primary Race

Jasmine Crockett, a second-term congresswoman, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate. She is in a contest with state Representative James Talarico, D-Austin. Both candidates aim to secure the nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn.

Crockett has cultivated an image as an assertive partisan. Talarico is noted for having a significant social media presence.

Candidate Backgrounds and Support

Jasmine Crockett

• Served as a national co-chair for Kamala Harris's presidential campaign.
• Spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
• She has described Harris as a friend and mentor, consulting her before entering the Senate race in December.

James Talarico

• Received support from former President Barack Obama, who referred to him as "a really talented young man" in an October podcast interview.
• A clip of this statement was promoted by Talarico's campaign.

Context of Harris's Endorsement

Kamala Harris previously served in the Senate from 2017 to 2021 before becoming Vice President. Since 2024, Harris has engaged in a limited number of primary endorsements, primarily supporting individuals with whom she has worked on campaigns or in the White House. The endorsement for Crockett aligns with this pattern, given their past professional relationship.