EL PASO, TEXAS − Of all the Democratic primaries that will decide the party's 2026 congressional candidate slate, none have captured national attention quite like the increasingly bitter March 3 Senate showdown in Texas.
In one corner is James Talarico, a state legislator who exudes a friendly youth pastor vibe as he urges voters to think beyond partisan divisions.
In the other is Jasmine Crockett, a quick-witted member of Congress who adopted a clap-back style aimed President Donald Trump and his allies.
Both candidacies arrive at a time when public approval of the Democratic Party is low, according to a survey released by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in February, despite the party's strong performance in recent elections, as opposition to Trump drives Democratic turnout.
But the first week of early voting in Texas, which began Feb. 17, shows Democrats outpacing Republicans at the polls. That heavy turnout is more than double what it was in the past two election cycles on the Democratic side, reports say.
