Crockett and Hamilton advance to runoff in Texas’ 30th Congressional District Democratic primary


Jasmine Crockett and Jane Hamilton advanced to a May 24 runoff in the Democratic primary for Texas’ 30th Congressional District. In the March 1 primary, Crockett received 48.5% of the vote, followed by Hamilton with 17%. No other candidate received more than 10% of the vote. 

Incumbent Eddie Bernice Johnson (D) , who was first elected to the U.S. House in 1992, did not seek re-election. The Cook Political Report and other outlets rated the 30th district Solid Democratic. Media attention focused on Crockett, Hamilton, and Jessica Mason.

Crockett has represented Texas House District 100 since January 2021 and was among the Texas House members who left the state in protest of SB1, which made a series of changes to Texas’ election administration laws. “There’s a number of people who will most likely enter this race. There are none that I believe will enter this race that have been battle tested like I have this session,” Crockett said. She said she supported “Economic recovery that includes all, fair district maps, expanding healthcare and access to the ballot box, lowering property taxes, and reforming the criminal justice and policing systems.” Johnson and a number of Texas state representatives endorsed Crockett.

Hamilton served as an adviser on Pres. Joe Biden’s (D) 2020 campaign in Texas and worked as an online program manager. She emphasized her local support, saying, “There is no other candidate in this race that has such broad support throughout the district” and the race would be “determined by the candidate who works the hardest and gets out their supporters. And I’m experienced doing just that.” Hamilton said she supported criminal justice reform, expanding access to healthcare, and “Voters Rights legislation which prohibits States from disenfranchising people of color.” Hamilton’s endorsers included U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D), Texas State Rep. Chris Turner (D), State Sen. Beverly Powell (D), and several local officials.

Barbara Mallory Caraway, Arthur Dixon, Vonciel Jones Hill, Keisha Lankford, Abel Mulugheta, and Roy Williams Jr. also ran in the March 1 primary.