Former Vice President Kamala Harris is making a late push in Texas’ closely contested Democratic Senate primary, recording a robocall urging voters to back Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the race’s final days against state Rep. James Talarico.
The automated message, first reported by The Texas Tribune, hit voters’ phones on the final day of early voting, just days before Democrats select their nominee to take on Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
“Hi, this is Kamala Harris and I’m calling to encourage you to please go vote for my friend Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic Primary,” the message begins. “Texas has the chance to send a fighter like Jasmine Crockett to the United States Senate. Jasmine has the experience and record to hold Donald Trump and his billionaire cronies accountable.”
Harris concludes with a familiar Democratic rallying cry: “It’s time to turn Texas blue,” encouraging voters to cast their ballots early or show up on Election Day.
The last-minute intervention underscores the stakes in the primary and highlights Harris’ close relationship with Crockett. According to The Texas Tribune, Harris has only stepped into two primaries in 2024, both involving close political allies. Crockett previously served as a national co-chair of Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign and took the stage at the Democratic National Convention that year.
Crockett has openly described Harris as both a mentor and confidante, saying in interviews that she sought Harris’s advice before launching her Senate bid in December. The robocall appears to solidify that alliance as Crockett and Talarico battle for the Democratic nomination.
Talarico, meanwhile, has leaned on his own high-profile support. His campaign has highlighted praise from former President Barack Obama, who last year described him as “a really talented young man.”
The primary has also drawn attention beyond Texas political circles. In recent weeks, Talarico made headlines after “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert claimed that CBS told him not to air an interview with the state representative — a claim the network denied. The episode fueled speculation about media handling of the race.
Additionally, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr confirmed a probe into ABC’s “The View” after questions were raised about how the program staged separate interviews with Talarico and Crockett weeks apart.
As Democrats prepare to choose their nominee, Harris’s decision to step in during the race’s final stretch signals just how closely national party figures are watching the outcome. The winner will face Cornyn in what is expected to be a high-profile Senate contest.
For now, Harris is betting that her voice — and her close ties to Crockett — can help tip the balance in a race that has drawn attention from party heavyweights, media personalities and federal regulators alike. Whether the late endorsement proves decisive will be determined when Texas Democrats cast their final votes.
