Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a progressive firebrand who currently represents Texas' 30th congressional district, launched a bid for the U.S. Senate on Monday -- setting up a contested primary against a rising Democratic star and jolting a political scene already scrambled by the Lone Star state's recent redrawing of its congressional map.
Crockett, speaking at an event on Monday in Dallas, emphasized being confident in being able to win a statewide race in Texas as a Democrat and wanting to take on President Donald Trump as a U.S. Senator.
"There's a responsibility that lies with all of us, especially in this moment. There are a lot of people that said, 'You got to stay in the house. We need our voice. We need you there,'" Crockett told the crowd.
"I understand, but what we need is for me to have a bigger voice. What we need is not only a voice, but we need to make sure that we are going to stop all the hell that is raining down on all of our people," Crockett said.
Crockett did not mention her primary opponent, state Rep. James Talarico, by name. The state representative rose to national acclaim for his embrace of Christianity with Democratic politics and was outspoken this past summer when Democratic state legislators in Texas left the state to try to prevent a vote on the new congressional map.
Talarico said he "welcomes" Crockett into the race.
"We're building a movement in Texas ... Our movement is rooted in unity over division -- so we welcome Congresswoman Crockett into this race," Talarico said in a statement on Monday.
While talking about the uphill battle to win statewide on Monday, Crockett referenced a need for unity and that her run was focused on Texans, seemingly trying to preempt claims she was splitting the Democratic vote or going for her Senate run for the sake of her own ambition.
"Many people have asked, and all of us wonder, can we win this race in November? I'm here to say, yes, we can. I'm also here to say it's not if we can, but if we will, if we will get out and knock the doors ... will we come together as one? This isn't about me or them. It's about you and us," she said.
"This is not about ambition. It's not about my ambition. It's about yours, your hopes and your dreams, and a government that has your back," Crockett said.
But Crockett did not shy away from naming one of her possible general election opponents -- incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn, with whom she used to have a good relationship. Crockett framed Cornyn as "business as usual" and said that she is done standing by while watching him accept actions done by the administration, she said, that hurt Americans.
Crockett and Cornyn have collaborated on legislation in the past, but during her remarks, Crockett criticized him for supporting Trump and framed him as "business as usual", saying that she is done standing by while watching him accept actions done by the administration, she said, that hurt Americans.
Cornyn, asked during an appearance on "America Reports" on Fox News on Tuesday to respond to some of Crockett’s comments about him, said that he thinks Crockett won’t be able to get more than the 42% of the vote that Vice President Kamala Harris got in the 2024 presidential race.
She had harsh words for President Donald Trump, telling supporters, "I'm done watching the American dream on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug. The gloves have been off, and now I'm jumping into the ring."
Another area she hit Trump on was his push to have Texas redraw its congressional map mid-decade to favor the GOP, which Republicans delivered on this past summer. Analysts say Republicans may be able to flip three to five seats in the new map.
Crockett told supporters that the mid-decade redistricting in Texas that Trump had promoted drew her out of her home district, but was not enough to stop her.
"I'm here to tell you, Donald Trump, you won't get rid of me that easily. I'm not going away. I'm not giving up. I still believe in this country. I still believe that we are in the land of opportunity," she said.
Crockett made her announcement on the last day to file for the 2026 primaries -- which have been jolted by the redistricting. Current Democratic members of Texas' congressional delegation had been making decisions over whether and where to run ahead of Monday's deadline.
Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett, for instance, said Friday he will retire at the end of the 119th Congress; some other members are running in new districts.
Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, who had been running for Senate, wrote Monday that what was expected to be "a bruising Senate Democratic primary" would divide the party ahead of the general election. He said he was now launching a bid for the newly redrawn 33rd congressional district instead -- drawing the ire of incumbent U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, who is also running there.
Johnson wrote in a statement Monday, without naming Allred, "This new district deserves representation that has been present in the tough moments, including throughout the redistricting fight, instead of parachuting back when another campaign doesn't work out."
Meanwhile, Republicans running for the Senate seat pounced on reports midday Monday that Crockett had filed to run as proof that the Democrats will not be able to field a candidate who can win statewide.
The GOP faces an acrimonious primary itself, as incumbent Sen. John Cornyn -- supported by the party establishment -- faces primary challenges from state Attorney General Ken Paxton, and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. Cornyn, Paxton and Hunt have each alleged that they are the best choice for Texas and the strongest supporter of Trump in the race.
"AOC has a new ally in Congress. She found one from Texas. Jasmine Crockett stands with this squad," the campaign team for Cornyn wrote in a post on X on Monday.
Paxton, meanwhile, used Crockett's entry as a chance to hit back at Cornyn, writing on X, "I'm sure John Cornyn is deeply upset his 'dance partner' Crazy Crockett is running, but that won't stop him from trying to force the national GOP to light $100 million on fire to save his failing campaign. He's willing to risk the Senate Majority to protect his fragile ego."
Hunt wrote on X on Tuesday, "Welcome to the show, Jasmine Crockett. The next Senator from Texas must be able to stand on their record, their resume, and their accomplishments. I'm ready to have that debate every single day."
ABC News' John Parkinson and Brittany Shepherd contributed to this report.