In the cutthroat arena of Texas Democratic politics, where the stakes couldn’t be higher for the 2026 Senate primary, Colin Allred just dropped a bombshell endorsement that’s got everyone buzzing—and it’s a direct shot at State Rep. James Talarico. Fresh off bowing out of the race himself back in December (coincidentally the same day Rep. Jasmine Crockett jumped in), Allred threw his weight behind Crockett with a fiery rebuke of Talarico over a comment Allred deemed racially charged. Quoting Crockett’s iconic Don’t come for me unless I send for you clapback, Allred framed this as a loyalty test within the party’s progressive wing, painting Talarico as out of touch and divisive. It’s classic intra-party knife-fighting: Allred, the polished ex-NFL star and 2024 Senate hopeful who nearly toppled Ted Cruz, positioning himself as the gatekeeper of Texas Dem authenticity while Crockett, the unapologetic Dallas firebrand, rides the wave of establishment nods.

But let’s peel back the layers—this isn’t just racial drama; it’s a masterclass in Democratic identity politics that could ripple straight into gun rights battles. Talarico, a rising anti-gun crusader who’s pushed hard for red-flag laws, permit-to-purchase schemes, and assault weapon bans in the Texas House, represents the Squad-adjacent fervor that’s hemorrhaging moderates in ruby-red Texas. Crockett? She’s no 2A ally either—her record screams ban ’em all, from cheering federal assault weapon prohibitions to slamming the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision as a public safety nightmare. Allred’s endorsement elevates Crockett as the safer progressive bet, potentially sidelining Talarico’s more militant rhetoric, but make no mistake: whoever emerges will be a Ted Cruz nightmare in 2026, armed with urban turnout machines and national dollars to demonize Texas’ gun culture.

For the 2A community, this is a win disguised as chaos. A fractured Dem primary means less unified firepower against Cruz, who’s locked in as the pro-gun incumbent with a war chest and border-security bona fides. Talarico’s blistering gets him sidelined early, diluting the most aggressive anti-2A voice, while Crockett’s star power might draw national spotlight but alienates suburban swing voters wary of her bombast. Texas gun owners should watch this like hawks—expect the winner to pivot moderate in the general, but their floor votes betray the truth: endless assaults on carry rights, magazine limits, and school safety excuses for confiscation. Stock up, train up, and vote like your arsenal depends on it, because in the Lone Star State, it always does.