Incumbent Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett will face Libertarian Jrmar Jefferson in the November election to represent a congressional district spanning from downtown Dallas down to Joe Pool Lake in southeast Tarrant County.
Jefferson filed to run in the March 5 Democratic Primary, but was rejected, according to the Texas Secretary of State's Office.
Coming off her freshman term, Crockett has made a name for herself sparring with Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, and getting a prime time speaking slot at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Her key issues in this campaign have been to improve healthcare access including abortion access, strengthen the economy, and support small businesses.
Jefferson's legislative priorities are to lower taxes, reduce government waste and combat poverty.
Here are there responses to our candidate survey.
Occupation: Congresswoman, former Civil Rights and Criminal Defense Attorney
Education: BA in Business Administration from Rhodes College, JD from University of Houston
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): 2010 - Bowie County Democratic Party Chair 2010 - Bowie County District Attorney 2020 - Texas State Representative HD 100 2022, 2024 - US House of Representatives TX-30
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism: Before public office, I was a public defender. I served on the board of MetroCare Services, the largest mental health provider in North Texas that is not a correctional facility. I am the former President of the Dallas Black Criminal Bar Association, former Regional Director of the National Bar Association, Former board member of the State Bar of Texas African American Lawyers Section, and former Bowie County Democratic Party Chair. During my runoff election for State Representative, in the midst of the George Floyd protests, I assembled and led a legal team to represent over 600 peaceful protestors, pro bono. We assisted to get people out of jail and the charges dismissed.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: I have been involved in criminal proceedings as a public defender, criminal defense attorney, and court appointed attorney. I have not had any criminal charges brought against me.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: I have been involved in countless civil lawsuits associated with practicing law and I've never declared bankruptcy.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?: AAJ PAC - Trial Lawyers, AFSCME, Border Health Federal PAC
Why are you seeking this office?: I am running for the United States Congress because our community deserves a fighter who shows up prepared, who can bring home results even during a chaotic and historically unproductive Congress under fractured Republican leadership. I believe I am that candidate who can continue delivering results as I have done through securing millions of federal dollars for housing, new jobs, revitalizing old infrastructure, improving healthcare, and protecting our environment. At this critical juncture in our nation's trajectory I am prepared to support Kamala Harris' bold consensus-driven agenda and I am equally prepared to stand in opposition and actively obstruct the implementation of Project 2025. When I go to Washington, I always keep Texas first. I always hold you and your loved ones' best interest at heart. I hope I have earned your support for another term in Congress.
What are your top 3 policy priorities?: My top priorities are fighting to improve healthcare access and affordability, which includes restoring the protections from Roe v. Wade and advancing reproductive justice. A strong opportunity economy where working families can get ahead and pursue the American dream through home ownership, supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurs to create jobs in our district, and eliminating food and housing insecurity. I am equally committed to creating the workforce required to compete in a global economy through robust investments into public schools and vocational training and making higher education affordable.
Would you support the bipartisan border security bill that failed in the current Congress? Why or why not? If not, what changes would need to be made to win your vote?: I can't say because I have no idea of what would have actually become of it off the house floor. One reason we are failing at productivity in the current congress is because house republicans always manage to make bills insufferably terrible. I will say that I support giving the resources that are necessary to our border patrol as well as our courts to process those seeking asylum faster than the typical 7 year waiting period while also supporting the investment in technology that will help to minimize the amount of drugs that pour across our border.
Let's not forget that Donald Trump prevented all talks and negotiations on any bipartisan border security bill. It's unfortunate that this topic became nothing more than a campaign ploy even though the majority of Congress and the American public want reform, but it was all obstructed by the will of one self-serving individual
Do you support extending provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire in 2025? Why/why not?: No. The 2017 bill was crafted with only the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations in mind. That legislation has no provisions to benefit working and middle-class families, it does not offer meaningful incentives or relief for small businesses. I support a tax policy that will deliver relief for hard working Americans whether they rent or own. A tax policy that supports small businesses so they can grow and flourish while creating local jobs, allowing them to compete. I support a tax policy that includes a child tax credit, a credit for college students and parents paying for higher education, relief for new homeowners, and other real solutions that provide meaningful relief for the majority of Americans, not just an elite few.
Would you support a Federal ban on abortion? Why/why not?: Never. Abortion bans actively harm women and threaten the lives of pregnant women in complex and extreme medical conditions. Abortion bans compromise the ability of doctors and nurses to provide the highest standard of medical care. Women have a constitutional right to their own self-determination, to make their own healthcare decisions and choices about their own bodies. The government has no room in these intimate, personal, and medical matters. Not to mention, Roe V Wade was born out of Texas 30, I would be one of the last people to forget that women gained their right to privacy right outta Texas and I'll continue to fight to restore the right.
What role should the Federal government play in addressing the affordable housing crisis?: Whether you rent or own, having a home you can afford in a neighborhood with opportunities is foundational. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, there are more affordable homes being built now than ever in the last 50 years. The federal government must pass the tax credits for low-income housing, for first-time homebuyers, and the New Neighborhood Homes tax credit among other means of support for renters and homeowners. We must eliminate barriers for first-time home buyers, cut costs for renters and homeowners, and guarantee affordable housing for our low-income veterans and vulnerable youth aging out of foster care.
We must also do our part to help further loosen supply chains that are still not back to their pre-pandemic numbers, identify possible new international trade partners, and stop demonizing migrants but make sure that people that are coming to contribute to our economy are screened, processed, & given status so that they can work.
Will you accept the results of your election regardless of the outcome?: Absolutely.
What's a Federal policy impacting Texas that's important to you, but not necessarily as high profile? Why do you think it's important?: The State of Texas is facing a historic drought threatening our agriculture, energy production, and everyday life from the panhandle to the gulf coast. As part of the Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act, a historic investment was made to tackle issues of water access. There is more federal policy that I will be advocating for to address our water shortage proactively before Texans are severely impacted. Another issue that I am also passionate about is consumer protection and I support the Biden-Harris initiatives to tackle junk fees and price gouging.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?: I am grateful to have a wide range of support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. As a result, I do not have a Republican nor an Independent opponent. While this has been a busy and historic first term, my biggest accomplishments are often underreported. Texas has the highest uninsured rates and bringing one of three ARPA-H research facilities to North Texas will close the gap through innovation & investment. I must thank Rep. Kay Granger for her partnership in getting this done! While there's plenty of bickering in DC, what makes me uniquely qualified is my ability to find common ground with people who want to get things done. I urge everyone to vote for Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and every Democrat on the ballot. We must come together to stop Project 2025 from dismantling our democracy and way of life. Whatever issue is most important to you, google that and Project 2025. That should give you the motivation to vote. We all have a voice at the ballot box and we must use it.