Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s leadership PAC has omitted the state’s top Democratic nominees from its latest round of endorsements, fueling internal party friction as Democrats defend a narrow lead in a pivotal U.S. Senate race. The list, released Sept. 28, 2026, by Crockett’s FIRE PAC, included 14 new candidates but notably excluded James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, and Gina Hinojosa, the party’s gubernatorial nominee.
The omission has drawn criticism from party veterans and highlights a deepening divide within the Texas Democratic delegation. The friction comes at a critical juncture for Talarico, who currently holds a 50% to 44% lead over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to a Marist poll conducted in mid-September. The contest represents a rare opportunity for Democrats to flip a Texas Senate seat after decades of Republican control.
The tension between Crockett and Talarico dates back to the March 2026 Democratic Senate primary. Talarico defeated Crockett in that contest with 52.4% of the vote compared to her 46.2%. While Crockett previously issued a post-primary endorsement of Talarico, the decision to leave him off the FIRE PAC’s high-profile September update has reignited concerns about party unity.
Crockett responded to the ensuing criticism on social media, describing her detractors as “corny” and advising them to “keep receipts” regarding her previous support for the ticket. According to The Washington Post, the congresswoman pointed to her earlier endorsement of Talarico following the primary as evidence of her commitment to the party’s success in November.
The internal Democratic discord is mirrored by similar divisions within the Republican Party. Ken Paxton became the GOP nominee only after defeating four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a May 2026 runoff election.
Adding to the internal friction, Crockett recently faced backlash from moderate and feminist Democratic blocs for her decision to honor singer Chris Brown in the Congressional Record on Sept. 12, 2026. That move drew criticism from fellow Texas Democrats, who cited the artist’s history of violence as inconsistent with party values. These compounding controversies have led some analysts to question whether the lack of coordination among high-profile Texas Democrats could jeopardize Talarico’s slim lead in the polls.
