Rep. Jasmine Crockett entered the 2026 U.S. Senate race and leads State Rep. James Talarico 51% to 43% in a Texas Southern University poll of 1,600 likely Democratic primary voters (Dec. 9–11, ±2.45%). Crockett tops women, seniors and Black voters, while Talarico performs best with younger voters, white voters, men and Latinos. In state politics, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick propose competing property-tax plans, and the Builders Movement is expanding into Texas to pursue citizen-driven health-care solutions. Separately, released 911 audio from the July 4 Guadalupe River floods documents frantic rescue calls; at least 20 families are suing Camp Mystic after 27 deaths.
Texas Senate Race Shifts: Jasmine Crockett Tops Early Democratic Poll as Property-Tax Fight Heats Up
State of Texas: Crockett shakes up Senate race for both Democrats and Republicans
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) entered the 2026 U.S. Senate race and immediately surfaced as the early favorite in a new Texas Southern University poll. The survey highlights cleavages within the Democratic primary while state leaders debate competing plans to cut property taxes — and released 911 audio recalls the deadly July 4 floods that inundated summer camps along the Guadalupe River.
Poll Shows Crockett Leading Democratic Primary
The Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University surveyed 1,600 likely Texas Democratic primary voters from Dec. 9–11. The poll, released Friday, places Crockett at 51% and State Rep. James Talarico at 43%, with a reported margin of error of ±2.45%.
In a statement, Crockett said she was humbled by the early showing after four days in the race and emphasized a campaign message focused on affordability. She also argued the results show she is best positioned to beat a Republican in the general election.
"The Texas Southern poll illustrates that voters know what I know: that I’m in the best position to mobilize voters who’ve been overlooked, ignored, and excluded," Crockett said. "Getting those voters to show up and make their voices heard is the only way for a Democrat to win in Texas."
The poll shows Crockett performing strongly with several key groups: women (57%–36%), voters 55 and older (59%–34%), and Black voters (89%–8%). Talarico leads among white voters (53%–40%), men (52%–42%), Latino voters (51%–41%) and is dominant with younger voters under 34 (63%–34%).
Pollsters also found a gap in name recognition: about 21% of likely Democratic primary voters say they do not know enough about Talarico to form an opinion, versus only 6% for Crockett. A Talarico campaign spokesman said the state representative starts the contest competitively and gains support as voters learn more about his message to take on wealthy special interests.
Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick Differ Over Property-Tax Cuts
At the state level, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are proposing different approaches to lower property taxes — especially school-related levies. Patrick unveiled "Operation Double Nickel," which would lower the age for a homestead tax freeze from 65 to 55 and pair that change with an extra $40,000 homestead exemption for all homeowners. He estimated the measure would cost about $1.3 billion.
"From 65 to 55 will cost our budget about $1.3 billion. That is very doable," Patrick said at a news conference at the State Capitol.
Abbott has promoted a five-point plan that includes completely eliminating school district property taxes for homeowners — a proposal Patrick questioned, warning it could force a substantial increase in the sales tax to make up the revenue shortfall. Abbott and Patrick, however, say they remain willing to work together to reduce Texans' tax burdens.
Builders Movement Expands Into Texas
The Builders Movement, a nonprofit civic advocacy group, announced plans to expand into Texas to foster cross-partisan dialogue and citizen-driven policy-making. Executive Director Stacey Blakely said Americans are fatigued by polarized politics and that Builders will use a "Citizen Solutions" model to gather public input, craft realistic proposals with experts, and return those proposals to citizens to advocate at the Capitol.
"It’s exhausting. They want solutions, and the demonizing of others, the ‘us vs. them,’ there’s a real fatigue around that," Blakely said. Builders said it will begin its Texas work focused on health care, using an AI tool called Ima to collect stories and ideas.
Released 911 Calls Recall Deadly Guadalupe River Floods
Authorities released 911 audio from the July 4 floods along the Guadalupe River that engulfed summer camps, including Camp Mystic and Camp La Junta. The recordings capture frantic calls from staff and visitors as water rose overnight. One caller at Camp Mystic said they were stranded and disconnected from the main office while cabins began to fill with water; another caller later reported up to 20–40 people missing.
At least 20 families have sued Camp Mystic, alleging that owners and operators could have prevented the deaths of 27 campers and counselors by moving girls to higher ground earlier that day. Gov. Abbott signed new camp-safety measures three months later, including evacuation requirements and bans on housing campers in flood-prone cabins.
Camp La Junta posted an Instagram message on July 17 saying every camper, counselor and staff member made it home safely and praising counselors for their actions during the emergency. Families represented by the advocacy group Heaven's 27 declined to comment on the released 911 calls.
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