Crockett and Talarico ready for Senate debate as Democrats hope for breakthrough in GOP-heavy Texas

Democrats hoping to win a U.S. Senate race in Republican-heavy Texas are scheduled to debate Saturday, their first in a primary campaign that features a contrast of styles more than policy differences.

The debate between U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico is set for 2 p.m. during the Texas AFL-CIO's political convention in Georgetown. The primary is March 3.

Crockett and Talarico are running for the seat held by four-term Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who faces two primary challengers. Democrats see Texas as potentially competitive in the November general election in their effort to reclaim the Senate majority, even though the state has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in more than 30 years.

Crockett is one of her party's most outspoken House members. Talarico is a soft-spoken former teacher with a rising national profile.

Crockett, a 44-year-old Dallas civil rights lawyer and former public defender who is in her second term, has built her national profile with a candid style marked by viral moments, including testy exchanges with House Republicans.

Talarico, who is 36 and represents suburban Austin, has had his own social media moments, notably in the form of talks on what he argues are the dangers of Christian nationalism.

Democrats need to gain a net of four seats in the midterm elections to retake the Senate majority. That is a tall order, given that most of the Senate races this year are in states that President Donald Trump carried in 2024.