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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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President Donald Trump's MAGA supporters have celebrated after State Representative James Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in the fiercely contested Texas Senate Democratic primary.
MAGA influencer Nick Sortor wrote on X: "Jasmine had to decline reelection for her present seat in the US House in order to run for Senate, so she'll be OUT after this year."
The conservative Libs of TikTok account wrote that Crockett "basically gave up her seat to run for Senate... And she just LOST the Democrat Senate Primary."
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Some MAGA supporters celebrated Crockett's loss even before The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday.
Talarico’s opponent will be decided in a May runoff, after neither longtime Republican Senator John Cornyn nor Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a majority of the vote in Texas' Republican Senate primary.
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Why It Matters
Texas, along with North Carolina and Arkansas, kicked off the midterm election season with primary elections on Tuesday, with control of Congress at stake.
Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate race in Texas since 1988, meaning Talarico is a clear underdog in November. Still, Democratic leaders say changing suburban demographics and potential Republican divisions could make the race more competitive.
What To Know
Talarico's victory comes after confusion about polling places in the Democratic Senate primary.
Voting was extended in Dallas County and Williamson County, outside Austin, after voters reported being turned away and directed to different voting precincts because of new primary rules.
Paxton's office later challenged a judge's decision keeping the polls open longer, and the state Supreme Court ruled that ballots cast by people not in line by 7 p.m. should be separated from others.
Crockett's campaign said she planned to sue over voting issues in Dallas. She spoke only briefly on Tuesday night to warn that "people have been disenfranchised." At a news conference, she suggested "cheating" had taken place.
Trump supporters also attacked Crockett for those comments.
"I thought questioning election results was a threat to our democracy and it's impossible for any cheating to happen?!" the Libs of TikTok account wrote on X.
What People Are Saying
Talarico told supporters before the race was called: "This is proof that there is something happening in Texas. Tonight, the people of our state gave this country a little bit of hope, and a little bit of hope is a dangerous thing."
Crockett told supporters on Tuesday night: "We're not going to have election results tonight, in my opinion, based upon what specifically is taking place in Dallas County. Unfortunately, this is what Republicans like to do. And so, they specifically targeted Dallas County, and I think we all know why."
Sortor wrote on X: "Jasmine Crockett has LOST the Democratic Primary for US Senate in TX, putting an END to her career in Congress Jasmine had to decline reelection for her present seat in the US House in order to run for Senate, so she'll be OUT after this year. Bye!"
The MAGA Voice account on X, which has 1.4 million followers, wrote: "It's Official: Decision Desk projects Jasmine Crockett LOSES her Democrat Primary. I LOVE THIS."
What Happens Next
Talarico advances to the November general election, when Democrats are hoping for an upset as they seek their first Senate win in Texas since 1988.
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