Texas AFL-CIO to Host First Debate Between Democratic Candidates for U.S. Senate

Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket and Texas State Representative James Talarico Will Square-Off at Organization’s COPE Convention on Jan. 24

GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Texas AFL-CIO today announced that it will host the first debate between the two leading candidates for the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senator from Texas, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Texas State Representative James Talarico during its COPE Convention on Jan. 24.

The one-hour debate will begin at 2 p.m. CT and will be livestreamed across Texas by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., which will carry the event on the websites of its 14 media markets throughout the state and on local market’s smart TV apps. The debate will be moderated by Nexstar’s KXAN-TV anchor Daniel Marin and Dallas Morning News political writer Gromer Jeffers.

“We’re looking forward to hosting the first U.S. Senate debate this year focused on the issues that matter to Texas workers,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar. “This debate will help our union members — and workers across the state — determine who to support in the Democratic primary.”

Texas AFL-CIO’s 2026 U.S. Senate Debate

WHO: 

• U.S. Senate candidate Jasmine Crockett
• U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico
• Moderator Daniel Marin, KXAN anchor
• Moderator Gromer Jeffers, Dallas Morning News political writer
• Hundreds of Texas union members

WHAT: 1-hour, livestreamed debate between the top two Texas Democratic Party candidates for U.S. Senate at the Texas AFL-CIO’s COPE Convention. 

WHEN: 2pm CT on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026

WHERE: 

• Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center, 1101 Woodlawn Ave., Georgetown, TX 78628 (note: in-person space limited to union members and union members’ families with tickets, plus reporters with press credentials)
• Livestream will be available through Nexstar Media Group Inc. on their local market websites and smart TV apps: 

​The Committee on Political Education (COPE) is the Texas labor movement’s political arm. Every two years, the COPE Convention votes on statewide endorsements and adopts local endorsements from across the state. Additional details about the Convention can be found at texasaflcioconvention.org 

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The Texas AFL-CIO is the state labor federation consisting of more than 250,000 affiliated union members and advocates for working people in Texas. Learn more at texasaflcio.org