Bitter Texas Senate race forces Dems to confront racial divisions
DALLAS — James Talarico is fond of saying that the “closest thing we have to the Kingdom of Heaven is a multiracial, multicultural democracy.” But Texas’ battle royale of a Democratic Senate primary feels far from heaven.
Talarico, a white state representative, is facing off with Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), who is Black, in a contest that’s turned increasingly bitter. It has ignited a fierce intraparty debate — with racial overtones — about what type of candidate Democrats need to nominate to win in tough places as they look to rebuild the racially diverse coalition that President Donald Trump shattered with his 2024 victory.
Comedian and podcast host Matt Rogers advised against donating to Representative Jasmine Crockett's potential 2026 Texas Senate bid on the Las Culturistas podcast in January 2026, arguing she cannot win a statewide race in Texas. Rogers suggested her political profile is too defined and urged supporters not to "waste" money.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday denounced universities for failing to guarantee the safety of students as some protests over the Israel-Hamas war have turned confrontational and led to antisemitic incidents.
“What we’re seeing at Columbia and what we’re seeing in some campuses across America, where universities can’t guarantee the safety and security of their students, it’s absolutely unacceptable,” Shapiro said in exclusive comments to POLITICO reporters.
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