Representative Jasmine Crockett’s newly announced bid for the U.S. Senate in Texas has ignited a wave of private fury among House Democrats, exposing deep internal anxieties about electability, strategy, and the party’s fragile grip on power heading into the next election cycle.

Crockett, a second-term Democrat from a safely blue Dallas district, launched her Senate campaign Monday after months of speculation. Her announcement came just hours after former Rep. Colin Allred exited the Senate race to pursue a return to the House, effectively clearing the field for Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico as the leading Democratic contenders.

While Crockett is a rising star with the party’s progressive base, her entry has left some House Democrats openly alarmed behind closed doors. Several lawmakers, speaking anonymously to avoid internal blowback, worry her confrontational, anti-Trump style may resonate in a primary but alienate swing voters in a state Democrats are desperate to finally crack.

The concern is not just about the Senate race itself. With control of the House potentially hinging on a handful of competitive districts, Democrats fear a polarizing statewide nominee could drag down candidates further down the ballot. Texas Democrats will be defending vulnerable incumbents like Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, while also targeting GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz and competing in multiple open seats.

“She might win a primary, but she ain’t winning a general in Texas,” one senior House Democrat said privately, echoing a sentiment that has circulated widely in caucus conversations since Crockett’s announcement.

Others expressed similar unease, warning that the party cannot afford missteps in a state where margins are thin and expectations are high. The belief that Crockett’s brand plays well online but lacks broader reach has become a recurring theme in these internal discussions.

Crockett has forcefully rejected that characterization. In a statement responding to criticism, she said Washington insiders are disconnected from the reality of Texas voters and insisted her campaign is focused on people who are routinely ignored by the political class. She framed her candidacy as a statewide effort aimed at earning trust across all 30 million Texans, not appealing to party elites.

Polling suggests Crockett enters the race with a significant advantage over Talarico, buoyed by her national profile and aggressive messaging style. That popularity has only heightened anxiety among colleagues who fear she could secure the nomination even if doubts about her general election viability persist.

Democrats see a rare opening in Texas, where longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn faces a potentially bruising primary against Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton’s legal troubles and hardline politics have fueled Democratic optimism that, under the right conditions, the seat could be competitive.

But some lawmakers argue that opportunity is being squandered. Several privately cited circulating reports that Senate Republicans may even welcome Crockett’s candidacy, viewing her as easier to defeat in November than a more moderate Democrat.

Not everyone shares that view. Progressive allies have rallied behind Crockett, praising her ability to command attention and prosecute arguments against Republicans. Supporters say her fearlessness and media savvy are precisely what Democrats need in a state known for brutal, high-stakes politics.

Texas Rep. Al Green dismissed the hand-wringing entirely, offering a blunt assessment of Crockett’s chances: he believes she can win.

Still, the discontent within the House caucus remains palpable. For some Democrats, Crockett’s Senate run is seen less as a bold gamble and more as a risky act of personal ambition at a moment when party discipline feels essential.

As the primary takes shape, lawmakers will be watching closely to see who steps forward with endorsements — and who stays conspicuously silent. In a party eager to break through in Texas but fearful of miscalculation, Crockett’s campaign has already achieved one thing: it has laid bare the tensions Democrats would rather keep behind closed doors.