In fiercely competitive Democratic Senate race, social media influencers increasingly drive the conversation

In an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram editorial board Monday, Crockett, while noting she was not blaming Talarico, said, “This race has been racially charged. There’s been some racial overtones as it relates to podcasts, pundits and things like that. And frankly, I do believe that one of the reasons that our country is in the position that it is right now is because of divisiveness.”

Talarico’s supporters, meanwhile, said their criticisms of her candidacy have nothing to do with race or gender, and instead rest on Crockett’s profile as an anti-GOP firebrand that they worry will not play well in a Republican-leaning state. Many of them also condemned the return of identity politics as a major factor that doomed the Democratic brand among voters in recent election cycles.