“I Love Her, But…”: Texas Voter Cries Over Voting for Talarico Over Crockett

AUSTIN, Texas — In a poignant reflection of the “electability” debate consuming the Democratic party, a Texas voter made national headlines this week after becoming visibly emotional while explaining why she cast her primary ballot for State Rep. James Talarico instead of U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. As of Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the moment has become a viral symbol of the agonizing choice facing Texas Democrats ahead of the March 3 primary.

The voter, identified as Sonya Bernhardt, was interviewed by CNN’s Arlette Saenz after participating in early voting. Her tearful testimony captured the strategic vs. emotional divide in the race to unseat Senator John Cornyn.

“We Need Somebody Who Can Win”

The encounter, which aired on CNN’s Inside Politics, highlighted the intense internal conflict among voters who admire Crockett’s firebrand style but fear it may not translate to a general election in a deep-red state.

• The Quote: “We need a fighter. And I was so ready to vote for Jasmine Crockett, because I love her, but I voted for Talarico because we need somebody who can win,” Bernhardt told CNN through tears. “That was one of the most difficult votes I’ve ever voted in my entire life.”
• The “Winning” Narrative: Another voter, Richard Traylor, echoed the sentiment, telling CNN he was tempted to “flip a coin” but ultimately prioritized winning over personal preference. “I like her [Crockett] better than all of them. But I like winning better.”

The Race: A Dead Heat

The “Bernhardt Moment” comes as polling shows the two candidates locked in a statistical tie, with Talarico gaining significant momentum following a controversy involving a pulled interview on Stephen Colbert’s Late Show.

• The Visibility Gap: While Crockett has higher name recognition due to her national profile, Talarico has built a massive war chest, raising $13.2 million compared to Crockett’s $6.5 million.
• The Colbert Bump: Talarico’s campaign reportedly raised $2.5 million in just 24 hours after CBS lawyers blocked his interview from airing, citing potential regulatory backlash from the Trump administration.

The Contrast: Style vs. Strategy

The primary has evolved into a “contrast of styles” that mirrors the broader national debate within the Democratic party.

1. Jasmine Crockett: A civil rights lawyer from Dallas, Crockett is betting that her “unapologetic” and combative progressive brand will drive high turnout among Black, young, and urban voters. She has accused her critics of using “electability” as a coded attack on her race and gender.
2. James Talarico: A former middle school teacher and seminarian, Talarico is pitching himself as a “big tent” candidate who can flip red districts. He highlights his history of winning a Trump-carried district and emphasizes his Christian faith to appeal to moderates and rural voters.

“You heard from voters who have concerns about whether she could win, especially in a state like Texas… Crockett’s campaign is highlighting a lot of the debates within the Democratic Party when it comes to electability.” — Arlette Saenz, CNN

The “Mediocre” Controversy

The race turned ugly earlier this month after reports surfaced that Talarico allegedly referred to former Rep. Colin Allred as a “mediocre Black man” during a private conversation. Talarico’s team called the report a “mischaracterization,” stating he was referring to Allred’s method of campaigning rather than his character. The incident has solidified Crockett’s support among Black voters, 75% of whom currently back her.