Texas Democrats have a rare opportunity

Plus, Rubio says next phase of Iran war 'will be even more punishing' |

VIEW IN BROWSER MS NOW DAILY Understand today's news Tuesday, Mar. 03, 2026   THE LATEST Crockett and Talarico aren't perfect. But they're both excellent choices for Texas. By Jason Johnson Crockett and Talarico aren't perfect. But they're both excellent choices for Texas. By Jason Johnson There's a showdown in Texas on Tuesday to choose the Democrat who will run for the U.S. Senate from that state. Texas voters choosing to participate in the Democratic primary have a choice between the dynamic firebrand Rep. Jasmine Crockett and the soft-spoken but eloquent state Rep. James Talarico to take on not only whoever the Republican nominee is, but also try to put an end to a 30-year streak of Democrats losing statewide elections in Texas.   Though you may not know it, given the online chatter and commentary from national pundits with no on-the-ground knowledge of Texas, Democratic primary voters there are actually very excited about their choices. Crockett's favorables are slightly higher than Talarico's, but both are well liked. In Talarico and Crockett, we see avatars of the two main strategies Democratic campaigns have employed over the last 20 years. Should the party seek the median voter, hold the base and flip Republicans? That's what Talarico claims he can do. Or should the party focus on firing up the base and converting non-voters into voters, which is Crockett's strategy?   This is a preview of Jason Johnson's latest column. Read the full column here. TOP STORIES JAKE TRAYLOR AND SOORIN KIM In Texas, it's the $70 million man vs. the MAGA fighter The Texas Republican Senate primary is testing whether tens of millions of dollars and decades of seniority can overcome one liability: insufficient loyalty to Donald Trump. Read more. ZEESHAN ALEEM The rise of a mad emperor Trump has exhibited a total lack of coherence on why he began a new war — or how it will end. Read more. MYCHAEL SCHNELL Thom Tillis isn't running. But he's defining North Carolina's Senate race. The senator's clash with Trump ended his career — and set up a general election battle over whether MAGA can win statewide in North Carolina. Read more. PHILIP BUMP Trump's war with Iran is already unpopular. But he may not care. The unpopularity of Trump and this conflict make it less likely that he'll be swayed by public opinion. Read more. JORDAN RUBIN Supreme Court sides with Republicans on New York redistricting ahead of midterms It's the Supreme Court's latest action affecting November's midterm elections, after the court approved ideologically opposing maps in Texas and California. Read more. TOP VIDEOS MS NOW Secretary Rubio says next phase of Iran war 'will be even more punishing' WATCH NOW MORNING JOE U.S. shuts down two embassies after drone attack in Saudi Arabia WATCH NOW THE LAST WORD WITH LAWRENCE O'DONNELL Trump's attack on Iran 'won't make Epstein files go away,' GOP Rep. Massie says WATCH NOW KATY TUR Austin police: Premature to declare motive in mass shooting over the weekend WATCH NOW MORE FROM MS NOW Tonight, the battle begins for control of Congress with primaries in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas. Join Rachel Maddow and team for analysis throughout the night, with Ali Velshi breaking down real-time results. Special coverage begins tonight at 7pm Eastern on MS NOW. This week on "The Best People," Nicolle Wallace is joined by professor Eddie Glaude, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and The Atlantic's Tom Nichols to discuss how to make sense of this moment in history, and the erosion of the public good in Trump's America. Listen now, and subscribe to MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content.  229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE