Colin Allred has officially withdrawn from the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate and will instead focus on running for the 33rd Congressional District in Texas. This decision comes as a strategic shift, as Allred aims to consolidate support within his party ahead of the upcoming elections.
Allred, a former congressman from Dallas, previously held the Democratic nomination for Senate in 2024, where he faced off against incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz but lost. His recent foray into the Senate race for 2026 was complicated by the entry of fellow Democrats, including James Talarico, a state representative from Austin, and the anticipated candidacy of Jasmine Crockett, another prominent figure from Dallas. Allred’s decision to pivot came on the final day for candidates to file for the Texas primaries.
In a statement, Allred expressed concerns that a contentious primary among Democrats could hinder the party’s chances in the general election. “In the past few days, I’ve come to believe that a bruising Senate Democratic primary and runoff would prevent the Democratic Party from going into this critical election unified against the danger posed to our communities and our Constitution by Donald Trump and one of his Republican bootlickers,” Allred said.
His new campaign will focus on the 33rd District, which has recently been reconfigured to favor Republican candidates. According to new maps approved by the U.S. Supreme Court, the district includes approximately one-third of the population from Allred’s previous congressional seat, which he represented for six years after flipping it in 2018.
Currently, the 33rd District is represented by U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, whose home base in Fort Worth has been removed from the new boundaries. Veasey is expected to run for the 30th District, currently held by Crockett, should she enter the Senate race as anticipated.
Allred’s main opponent in this new district will be Rep. Julie Johnson, who succeeded him when he stepped down to run for the Senate in 2024. Johnson has been serving in the 32nd Congressional District since January, but the recent redistricting has merged multiple Democratic seats in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, creating a competitive landscape.
“The 33rd District was racially gerrymandered by Trump in an effort to further rig our democracy,” Allred stated. He emphasized his deep connection to the community, noting his upbringing and his efforts to secure substantial federal resources for local needs, including over $135 million for affordable housing and healthcare.
Allred’s decision to shift his campaign focus effectively ends his Senate aspirations after just over five months. Despite entering the race with notable recognition and polling well against potential Republican candidates, he faced significant competition from both Talarico and Crockett, who have gained national attention and fundraising success.
As the primary race heats up, the Democratic Party is now more likely to avoid a runoff, which would have required a candidate to secure over 50% of the vote to win outright. With Allred’s exit, the eventual nominee will have a clearer path to prepare for the general election in November.
While the congressional primary may be smaller in scale, it could still prove contentious. Johnson endorsed Talarico in the Senate race, marking her as a notable figure in the unfolding political drama. Organizations like Equality PAC have also raised concerns about the dynamics of a challenge against Johnson, highlighting the importance of representation in Congress.
As both Allred and Johnson prepare for their campaigns in the newly drawn 33rd District, their competition will encapsulate the shifting political landscape in Texas and the broader implications for the Democratic Party as they navigate the upcoming elections.
