What will Crockett do?
The Texas U.S. Senate race is already heating up, and Republicans are drawing sharp contrasts as Democrats attempt to gain ground in a traditionally conservative state.
Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas moved quickly this week to challenge Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett to a public debate shortly after she officially entered the Senate race. Hunt said a debate would give Texas voters a clear look at two very different visions for the state and the country.
Hunt, who is competing in a crowded Republican primary that includes incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, said a face-to-face debate with Crockett would be “must-see television.”
“Congresswoman Crockett and I see two very different Americas,” Hunt told Fox News Digital. “She tends to frame the country around grievance and victimhood. I believe America succeeds through hard work, personal responsibility, and determination.”
Early Signs of a High-Profile Showdown
Sources close to the campaign say Crockett recently approached Hunt on Capitol Hill to briefly discuss the idea of a debate. Hunt’s campaign later confirmed the interaction, noting it was the first time the two lawmakers had ever spoken directly.
Hunt made it clear he welcomes the opportunity. “A Hunt versus Crockett debate would allow voters to see the contrast plainly,” he said. “I’m ready.”
The race also carries historic implications. If either candidate were elected, it would mark the first time a Black American has won a statewide office in Texas.
Hunt addressed that point directly, emphasizing unity over identity politics.
“I’m the great-great-grandson of a slave,” Hunt said. “My family’s journey—from a plantation to West Point, to combat service, and now to Congress—is proof of American progress.”
While acknowledging his heritage, Hunt said he rejects political movements that focus primarily on race.
“I’m proud to be Black,” he said, “but I’m even prouder to be an American and a Texan. My priorities are being a father, a husband, a veteran, and a servant leader—not reducing people to labels.”
Democrats Face an Uphill Battle in Texas
Crockett’s entry into the race adds a new dynamic for Democrats, who have struggled to win statewide elections in Texas for decades. Her House district includes a large portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, and she brings a sizable social media following and a younger political profile than previous Democratic contenders.
Hunt also commands a major digital presence. His campaign says he has more than 4.1 million followers across platforms including Instagram, X, Truth Social, and others. Crockett reportedly has around 2.5 million followers on Instagram and roughly 500,000 on X.
Both candidates have used online engagement and media visibility to build their political brands. Turning that attention into statewide support, however, remains a significant challenge—particularly for Democrats hoping to flip a reliably Republican state.
GOP Leadership Pushes Back
Republican leaders have already criticized national Democrats for rallying behind Crockett. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, suggested her candidacy reflects how far left the Democratic Party has shifted.
“I think it says a lot about who Democrats are nationally,” Scott told Fox News Digital. “The party has embraced rhetoric over reality, and voters are noticing.”
Key Election Dates
The Texas primary election is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026. As the race unfolds, a potential Hunt-Crockett debate could become one of the most closely watched political moments in the state—and possibly the nation.
