U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett has pushed back against criticism from House Speaker Mike Johnson after he mocked her bid for the U.S. Senate, saying his remarks suggest Republicans are uneasy about her campaign.
Johnson made the comments when asked by reporters about Crockett’s candidacy in Texas.
He said he was “absolutely delighted” she was running, calling it “one of the greatest things that’s happened to the Republican Party in a long time.”
He also predicted voters in Texas would elect another Republican senator, describing the state as firmly conservative.
Crockett: ‘They act as if they’re scared’
Responding in a video interview, Crockett dismissed Johnson’s remarks and said they reveal underlying concern about her campaign.
“I must say that they act as if they’re scared, regardless of what it is that they say,” she said.
She agreed with Johnson on one point — that Texans value “common sense” — but argued that many voters are frustrated with long-standing political leadership.
“Texans, frankly, have not had a reason to be excited. It’s been the same old, same old for a very long time,” she said.
Defending her political style
Johnson had also referenced progressive figures while criticizing Crockett, suggesting her politics would not resonate with Texas voters. Crockett countered by pointing to recent election trends, noting that voters sometimes support candidates across ideological lines.
She argued that shifts in voting patterns show many Americans are looking for new leadership styles rather than strict party alignment.
“There’s something different that people are looking for,” she said. “I am a different candidate, unlike anyone who’s ever run in Texas.”
Looking ahead to the race
Crockett said she plans to run an unconventional campaign, promising a competitive and highly visible contest.
“Texas is about to see a race you’ve never seen before,” she said, adding that repeating traditional political strategies without change has failed to produce new results.
The upcoming Senate race in Texas is expected to draw national attention, as both major parties view it as a key test of voter sentiment ahead of future federal elections.
