(AURN News) — Primary season is officially underway, and all eyes are on Texas.
On the Democratic side, Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico are locked in a competitive race for the U.S. Senate nomination. Polling has been consistent, with both candidates leading at different points.
Talarico noted that outside spending in the Democratic primary has heavily favored his campaign, with roughly $24 million in television advertising support compared with about $5 million backing Crockett. He said he believes he has broader appeal in a state Democrats have not won at the Senate level since 1988.
Crockett, who entered the race with a strong national profile, is betting that energizing infrequent voters, particularly Black and Latino communities, could expand the electorate in November.
Texas requires a candidate to win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a May runoff.
With turnout strong for a primary and the margins tight, electability is a central question Democratic voters are weighing.
Texas has roughly 18.5 million registered voters, yet turnout historically remains among the lowest in the country.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
