Overview
- Colin Allred defeated Rep. Julie Johnson in the Democratic primary runoff held Tuesday, winning roughly 54% to 46% and becoming the projected Democratic nominee who will face Republican Patrick Gillespie in November.
- Republican-drawn redistricting reshaped North Texas seats and pushed Johnson into the new 33rd District, producing the unusual contest between a former representative and her successor.
- High-profile endorsements and outside spending played a major role: Rep. Jasmine Crockett backed Allred and Jobs and Democracy PAC spent nearly $400,000 for him, while Equality PAC and other groups spent heavily for Johnson.
- The campaign centered on immigration and ethics issues, with critics citing Allred’s past immigration votes and his later call to abolish ICE and Johnson’s disclosure that she held Palantir stock last year with her campaign saying an independent manager sold it.
- Johnson’s loss removes the South’s only openly LGBTQ member of Congress and has prompted sharp debate inside the Democratic Party over representation, strategy, and unity even as the left-leaning district makes a Democratic general election win likely.