Jasmine Crockett Criticizes James Talarico, Says He Didn't Condemn An Ad With 'Straight Up Racist' Imagery About Her

Rep. Jasmine Crockett said an ad posted by a political action committee supporting her Democratic primary opponent, State Rep. James Talarico, featured racially manipulated imagery, escalating tensions in a closely watched Texas Senate contest weeks before the March 3 primary.

In a video of a press conference posted online by Democratic commentator Kaivan Shroff, Crockett said ads "are darkening my skin" and called them "not even undertones right now. It is straight up racist." She went on to criticize state Sen. James Talarico for what she said was his failure to condemn the ads, adding that "that cannot be the way that we proceed" if Democrats want to win.

Although Crockett did not cite evidence tying Talarico directly to the ads or share details of what video she was referring to, users online claimed it was one published by Super PAC Lone Star Rising in early February.

Crockett, a congresswoman and former civil rights attorney known for sharp exchanges with Republicans, has argued Democrats need a candidate who can energize younger and disaffected voters in the upcoming March 3 primaries, while Talarico, a former teacher and seminarian, has presented himself as a coalition-builder, saying during a January debate, that "the real fight in this country is not left versus right. It's top versus bottom."

A recent poll published by the University of Houston has shown Crockett with an advantage among likely Democratic primary voters, leading Talarico 47% to 39%. Analysts consulted by The Guardian say the race reflects broader tensions inside the party over message and electability as Democrats weigh their chances in a state they have not won statewide in three decades.

The dispute follows other media-related friction between the campaigns as Crockett said on Tuesday she had no objection to CBS choosing not to air an interview with Talarico by Stephen Colbert, arguing the decision may have benefited him. "It probably gave my opponent the boost that he was looking for," she said on MSNBC.

Talarico countered in a statement that the interview was blocked because of political pressure, calling it "the most dangerous kind of cancel culture."