Texas redistricting has claimed another victim, and this time it is Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Her current House seat is effectively being redrawn out of existence, which in most political careers would trigger a quiet recalibration. Not here.
Crockett is responding by launching a run for the U.S. Senate. Polling in the Democratic primary reportedly has her leading the field. That says more about the state of the Democratic bench than it does about electoral viability in Texas statewide races.
Her supporters will argue that she is a “firebrand” who “speaks truth to power.” Critics would frame it differently. Crockett has built a national profile largely on viral moments, combative hearings, and cable news appearances. That style plays well online. It is less clear how it translates across a state as large and politically diverse as Texas.
The latest example of her rhetorical flair came on the “Black Girls Politickin’” podcast, where she declared, “I am ‘team no-sleep’ right now. But you know what? Democracy can’t wait. And, uh, if I go to sleep, democracy may very well die.”
Jasmine Crockett says she’s running on no sleep so she can save Democracy:
“If I go to sleep, Democracy may very well die."
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) February 13, 2026
That is not satire. That is a sitting member of Congress describing her schedule in near apocalyptic terms.
During the interview, she spoke about campaigning in rural Texas, referring to herself in the third person at one point. “There are those that have a perception that Jasmine cannot go into rural areas because they refuse to actually learn about me,” she said. She went on to explain that she is balancing a full time job in Congress with a statewide campaign, insisting she is showing up “every single day at work” while seeking to earn Texans’ support.
Ambition is not a crime. Hyperbole, however, is not a governing strategy.
Crockett has previously said that she entered the Senate race not because of her opponent, state Rep. James Talarico, but because “it was because of Jasmine Crockett.” That level of self focus may energize a base hungry for bold personalities. It may also reinforce the perception that modern politics has become more about branding than substance.
At a macro level, this Senate race will likely hinge on broader partisan dynamics in Texas, a state that still leans Republican statewide. At a micro level, Crockett’s candidacy is a case study in the influencer era of politics, where viral moments and dramatic soundbites can propel someone to the top of a primary.
The question is whether that formula works in a general election. Texas voters have historically favored candidates who project steadiness and economic focus over theatrics.
For now, Crockett leads her primary field. Whether “team no-sleep” proves to be a winning message or just another viral clip is something Texas voters will ultimately decide.
What the hell is this racist skank smoking?