Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett launches bid for US Senate seat

The two-term Texas congresswoman seeks to flip seat held by Republican John Cornyn in the GOP-dominated state

Democratic representative Jasmine Crockett launched a bid for US Senate in Texas on Monday, bringing a high-profile official to a race that may be critical to Democrats' bold ambition to reclaim a Senate majority in next year's midterm elections.

Crockett, one of Congress's most outspoken Democrats and a frequent target of GOP attacks, made the announcement shortly before the state's 6pm deadline for candidates to file the paperwork to run in the primary, due to be held on 3 March. The two-term representative of Dallas is seeking to flip the seat held by Republican John Cornyn, who is running for re-election in the GOP-dominated state.