Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett formally launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate in Texas on Monday, injecting national attention and sharp political rhetoric into what Democrats view as a difficult but potentially pivotal race ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Framing her bid as a direct challenge to former President Donald Trump, Crockett declared, “I’m coming for you,” underscoring both her confrontational style and her ambition to elevate the contest beyond state lines.

Crockett, one of the most outspoken Democrats in Congress, entered the race on the final day of candidate qualifying in Texas. She is seeking to unseat Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who is running for reelection in a state that has remained firmly under GOP control for decades. Despite Democrats’ long-standing struggles statewide, party leaders believe Texas could become increasingly competitive as demographic shifts and suburban voting trends continue to evolve.

Speaking to supporters in Dallas, Crockett leaned into her reputation as a political fighter. “As a candidate who is constantly attacked and labeled a threat, it’s because I am one,” she said. “I’m the only one who has gone toe to toe with Donald Trump, and there’s a reason he keeps my name in his mouth.” Her remarks highlighted how central Trump remains to her campaign messaging, even as he no longer occupies the White House.

Democrats will need a net gain of four Senate seats next November to reclaim control of the chamber. However, the electoral map poses significant challenges, as many of the seats up for grabs—including Texas—were carried by Trump in the last election. Cornyn, first elected to the Senate in 2002, is facing the most competitive Republican primary of his career against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, a dynamic that could reshape the general election landscape.

Crockett’s announcement came just hours after former Rep. Colin Allred exited the Democratic Senate race, opting instead to pursue a return to the House of Representatives. Crockett now faces a March 3 Democratic primary against state Rep. James Talarico, a former teacher who has gained national attention through viral social media videos challenging conservative education policies, including private school vouchers and mandates involving religious displays in classrooms.

“It’s going to be a sprint from now until the primary,” said Kamau Marshall, a Democratic consultant who has worked on multiple Texas campaigns. “But in Texas, you also have to think about November from day one. Who can organize voters on the ground? And who can realistically win a general election in a state this large and complex?”

Fundraising numbers suggest an increasingly competitive Democratic contest. Talarico raised nearly $6.3 million in the first three weeks after formally launching his campaign in September and reported close to $5 million cash on hand by month’s end. Crockett, meanwhile, raised roughly $2.7 million for her House campaign over the same period and finished September with $4.6 million available, giving her a solid financial foundation as she transitions to a statewide race.

Republicans have already begun casting Crockett’s combative style as a liability. Paxton derisively referred to her as “Crazy Crockett,” while Cornyn told reporters on Capitol Hill that facing her would be “a lot of fun,” accusing her of making “inflammatory and crazy” statements. GOP strategists appear eager to frame her blunt rhetoric as out of step with moderate Texas voters.

Talarico, while welcoming Crockett to the primary, emphasized his campaign’s grassroots approach, noting that he has built a volunteer network of more than 10,000 people. “Our movement is rooted in unity over division,” he said, signaling a contrast in tone even as both candidates court the same Democratic base.

Many Democrats believe their best chance to flip the seat would come if Paxton secures the Republican nomination. Although popular among Trump’s most loyal supporters, Paxton has faced years of legal and ethical controversies that could weaken him in a general election. Hunt’s entry into the GOP primary further complicates the Republican field, adding uncertainty to what was once considered a safe seat.

Crockett directly addressed doubts about her electability, urging supporters to ignore claims that she cannot win because she is Black, a woman, or a Democrat in Texas. Her campaign played a video montage featuring Trump criticizing her, including his remark calling her a “low IQ person.” Crockett responded defiantly, saying she would gladly take an IQ test alongside the former president.

“You better get to work,” she told Trump during her speech. “I’m coming for you. I’m not going away, and I’m not giving up.”

A civil rights attorney and former public defender, Crockett previously served in the Texas House and made history as one of the youngest Black Democratic county chairs in the state. She has built a national following through viral moments on Capitol Hill, including sharp exchanges with Republican lawmakers such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace. Her unapologetic style has energized supporters while also drawing criticism from opponents.

Crockett has not been without controversy. She faced backlash after mocking Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as “Gov. Hot Wheels,” a comment she later said referred to his immigration policies rather than his use of a wheelchair. The incident underscored the risks that come with her confrontational approach, particularly in a statewide race.

Democrats’ strongest statewide showing in Texas in the past 30 years came in 2018, when Beto O’Rourke narrowly lost to Sen. Ted Cruz during the midterms of Trump’s first administration. Party leaders see parallels between that political environment and the upcoming election cycle, believing voter dissatisfaction could again create openings.

Marshall noted that any Democrat hoping to win statewide in Texas must assemble a broad and delicate coalition—energizing Black voters in major metro areas like Houston and Dallas, performing well in diverse suburbs and exurbs, and securing meaningful support from rural voters, particularly Latino communities in the Rio Grande Valley.

“Winning in Texas is about building complicated coalitions in a massive state,” Marshall said. “It’s hard, but not impossible.”