Last Saturday, U.S. Senate candidates Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico faced off in the first Democratic Senate primary debate, hosted by the labor union AFL-CIO ahead of the 2026 midterms. The daytime debate covered immigration enforcement, AI-driven economic change, tariffs, health care, and the broader direction of the country. Both candidates repeatedly framed the race as a high-stakes fight against the Trump administration, arguing that the President and his top officials pose a threat to democratic institutions. In her closing remarks, Crockett said, “Whoever goes to the Senate needs to be ready for war.”
ICE
Early in the debate, both Crockett and Talarico sharply criticized ICE, arguing that the agency’s enforcement tactics have crossed legal and ethical lines. They described ICE’s actions as resembling a “secret police force,” and both called for stronger oversight and accountability.
Referencing two shootings involving ICE agents in Minneapolis, Talarico urged the Justice Department to pursue prosecutions in cases where agents are found to have abused their authority. Both candidates also targeted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, calling for impeachment. Crockett labeled her “Cruel Kristi,” a line that drew attention during the exchange.
AI and data centers
One of the most prominent themes of the debate was the impact of AI and data center expansion on workers, utilities, and local communities. Talarico said he would push for a federal regulatory framework to protect blue-collar and union jobs from displacement by automation. He also argued that AI companies should bear the full cost of their energy demands and called for updates to Texas water infrastructure.
Crockett echoed similar concerns, emphasizing environmental risks and the strain on rural communities. She called for guardrails to prevent data centers from polluting rural water sources and for stronger worker protections as automation accelerates.
Economy and tariffs
On economic policy, both candidates said they would raise income tax rates on billionaires. Talarico also backed increasing the corporate tax rate, while Crockett argued the federal government should return to the higher tax-rate structure used during the Clinton era as part of balancing the budget.
Both candidates blamed tariffs for worsening affordability and argued that farmers, ranchers, and small business owners are being squeezed. Crockett went further, saying President Trump should be impeached over what she described as an “illegal authority” to wage tariffs. The scope of presidential tariff power has become the subject of mounting legal and political debate, with a lawsuit on the legality of President Trump’s authority currently being argued before the Supreme Court.
Health care
On health care, Crockett and Talarico aligned with Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Medicare for All vision as an alternative to the Affordable Care Act. Talarico called universal coverage “non-negotiable” and said that “healthcare is a human right.” He also highlighted his role in insulin legislation during the 87th Texas legislative session, with a similar bill helping to cap insulin prices at $25.
Campaign finance
The clearest point of divergence came on campaign finance and political influence. Talarico has centered his campaign on the argument that billionaires are dividing the country, but he did not directly address questions about his connection to Texas Sands PAC, a super PAC tied to billionaire casino mogul Miriam Adelson, which has supported him in the past. Instead, he pointed to his support for legalizing casino gambling in Texas as a way to raise tax revenue.
Crockett responded by acknowledging she has accepted donations from corporations like Lockheed Martin and Blue Cross Blue Shield, but argued that she has leveraged her fundraising to support down-ballot Democrats nationwide.
State of the race
With the primary less than six weeks away, Crockett and Talarico appear locked in a tight contest for the nomination. After the debate, AFL-CIO released endorsements for multiple down-ballot and statewide Democrats, but did not endorse either Senate candidate.
A recent Emerson College poll showed Talarico leading Crockett by 9 points, a notable shift from earlier polling that had Crockett ahead. Substantively, the debate suggested the candidates share broad agreement on major policy goals, while competing over credibility, political independence, and who can most effectively serve as a check on the Trump administration and congressional Republicans if elected to the U.S. Senate.
