As U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s anticipated run for the U.S. Senate gathers momentum, the Texas Democrat is confronting early resistance from within her own political base.
Some Democratic voters are publicly questioning her stance on Israel and signaling they may withhold support.
The criticism, circulating largely on social media, centers on claims that Crockett holds a “pro-Israel” position—an allegation that has become increasingly sensitive among progressive voters amid the ongoing war in Gaza and broader debates over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
Speaking in a recent Instagram conversation with journalist Ashlee Banks, Crockett addressed the criticism directly, urging voters to look beyond online narratives and examine her official record.
“People need to start to do their research and stop falling for the clickbait,” Crockett said. She encouraged critics to review her voting history and Federal Election Commission filings rather than rely on secondhand claims. “If you loved me before, then what has changed?” she asked, pointing to transparency in her legislative record.
Redirecting the Focus to Texas
Rather than dwell on foreign policy labels, Crockett sought to refocus the conversation on domestic issues she says matter most to Texans.
She cited rising numbers of uninsured residents, shrinking job opportunities, the high cost of childcare, and the looming closure of hospitals across the state as urgent concerns she intends to center in her campaign.
“Texans are concerned because they can’t afford childcare,” she said. “Hospitals are about to close down. These are the issues people are dealing with every day.”
Crockett rejected the notion that she should be placed on the defensive over claims she described as uninformed, arguing that endorsements, votes, and policy positions are all matters of public record.
“I have nothing to hide,” she said, adding that she would not be seeking higher office if she did.
A Test for Democratic Unity
The episode underscores the growing ideological fault lines within the Democratic Party, particularly as foreign policy positions increasingly influence primary contests at home. For candidates like Crockett, navigating those divisions while maintaining focus on local priorities may prove critical.
While her Senate bid has energized many supporters, the pushback reveals the political risks facing Democrats attempting to balance progressive activism with broader electoral appeal—especially in a state as politically complex as Texas.
For now, Crockett appears intent on pressing forward, signaling that her campaign will be defined less by online controversy and more by a public accounting of her record and priorities. Whether that approach will be enough to unify skeptical voters remains an open question as the race takes shape.
