Long before Jasmine Crockett became a national political figure in Texas, she was shaped by St. Louis area schools, church life and community ties she now credits with preparing her for public life.
That foundation took on new meaning Monday when Crockett, a Democratic congresswoman representing a Texas district, announced her run for the U.S. Senate — a move that is drawing attention statewide and stirring pride back home in St. Louis, where she was born and raised.
“I may be running for office in Texas, but my story starts in St. Louis,” Crockett told The St. Louis American. “From the classrooms of Jefferson Elementary School with now-Missouri State Sen. Brian Williams, to Lindell Boulevard, every part of this community molded me and prepared me to take on the toughest fights in my life. Everywhere I go, St. Louis is with me.”
Now in her second term representing the district that includes Dallas, Crockett has built a national profile through frequent, unapologetic clashes with Republicans and the current presidential administration — moves that have helped her amass a sizable social media following and strong donor support. She is now considered one of the Democratic Party’s most effective fundraisers.
Running under the slogan “Texas Tough,” Crockett has placed the Trump administration at the center of her Senate bid, citing concerns about affordability and the shrinking sense of economic security for current and future generations.
“You’d better get to work, because I’m coming for you,” she said while addressing President Trump during her Senate campaign announcement in Dallas.
Crockett grew up in North St. Louis County with her parents, Rev. Joseph and Gwen Crockett. She attended Jefferson Elementary School, Rosati-Kain Academy, and later graduated from Mary Institute, St. Louis Country Day School.
She credits her parents for laying the foundation for her success and often points to her father, who lives in St. Louis County, as a lasting source of inspiration. He retired last year as senior pastor of Salem United Methodist Church.
“It’s my daddy’s leadership and love in the church that raised me and inspires me to this day to be the best Congresswoman I can be,” Crockett said in a 2023 Father’s Day post on Instagram.
Williams, a Democrat who represents part of St. Louis County, attended Jefferson Elementary with Crockett and grew up in the Normandy School District — now the Normandy Schools Collaborative. He said the timing of her Senate run reflects the moment the country is in.
“It is important for fresh and energetic leadership like Jasmine’s to step up and really be a voice in the United States Senate and also a voice for our country,” Williams said. “I would say this is one of the most challenging times that we’ve experienced being under this current presidential administration.”
Williams, who was a few grades behind Crockett in school, has watched her evolve over the years both personally and politically as a fellow Democrat and public official.
Before entering Texas politics, Crockett left St. Louis to attend Rhodes College in Memphis. She later moved to Texas to enroll at the University of Houston Law Center, where she earned her law degree.
Her political rise accelerated quickly. She took office in the Texas House of Representatives in 2021 as the sole Black freshman and the youngest Black lawmaker during the 87th Legislative Session. In 2022, she ran for Congress in Texas’ 30th District and has served in the U.S. House since 2023.
Even while representing Texas, Crockett continues to keep close ties to St. Louis. She reached out after a deadly tornado tore through metro St. Louis in May, killing four people and causing $1.6 billion in damage.
“She reaches out a lot to find out what’s going on in St. Louis. She stays very in touch and in tune with things that are happening here,” Williams said.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding her candidacy, Crockett faces a steep political climb. Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in 30 years.
She will face Texas state Rep. James Talarico, also a Democrat, in the party’s primary after former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred exited the Senate race to seek Crockett’s House seat — now sitting within newly redrawn district boundaries that could give Republicans five additional seats in the U.S. House.
If Crockett advances from the primary, she could take on longtime incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, in the general election.
“I am extremely proud of Jasmine. She ascended from Jefferson Elementary School to being where she is today — not only a member of Congress but a very successful, trained, Black woman and as an attorney,” Williams said. “I think she’s been just very inspirational for so many different people in our community here in St. Louis and throughout the country.”