Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred is ending his Senate campaign and will instead run for Congress in Dallas County’s revamped District 33.
Allred’s decision comes as U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas, is expected to join the Democratic Senate contest that also includes state Rep. James Talarico of Austin.
“I felt that having a long, drawn out, brutal primary and runoff was not in the people’s interest or the interest of the folks who placed their trust in me,” Allred told The Dallas Morning News in an exclusive interview. “I’ve made the decision to end my Senate campaign, but I’ve decided to run for the newly drawn 33rd Congressional District.”
Allred’s move creates a primary clash with the woman who replaced him in Congress–U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch. Johnson is in her first term representing District 32, which the Republican-controlled Legislature redrew this summer to be more favorable to a GOP candidate.
Political Points
U.S. Senate candidate and voting rights lawyer Colin Allred delivers at the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Right Act, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Greater St. Stephen First Church in Fort Worth.
Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer
Former state Rep. Domingo Garcia, D-Dallas, is also considering running for Congress in District 33.
District 33, which is represented by Fort Worth Democrat Marc Veasey, sheds all of Tarrant County under the redistricting and now includes neighborhoods Allred once represented. Veasey is expected to run for District 30, which Crockett represents.
Allred said running in District 33 would be a continuation of his public service to the area. He touted efforts to bring a Veterans Administration hospital to Garland and “securing $135 million in federal resources for affordable housing, public transportation and health care” as accomplishments he made to the area while in Congress.
“I grew up attending public schools and watching my mom struggle to pay for our groceries,” Allred said. “It’s the community where I was raised, and where [his wife] Aly and I are now raising our two boys. It is my home.”
Allred said the people of Texas needed more from elected leaders. He added that it was important for Democrats to have a robust response to Republican efforts to draw Democrats out of congressional seats.
“It’s time for us to have all of our best players on the field,” said Allred, a former NFL linebacker. “I can go into office and immediately be a strong voice.”
Allred was first elected to Congress in 2018, when he beat U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions to flip the district from red to blue. In 2024 he opted not to run for a fourth term and instead mounted an unsuccessful 2024 Senate campaign against Republican Ted Cruz.
Stressing the need for bipartisanship in Congress, Allred was displeased with the climate in the House, which played a role in his decision to run for Senate.
He said he wants to return to Congress to repair it.
“I’m going back with much more knowledge and the attitude that if you don’t like it, then fix it,” Allred told The News. “There’s a lot that I think we can do to make it better…I still think it’s broken. I still think it’s no longer functioning, but I’m going to go to the House and try to fix it.”
FILE – Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, questions the witnesses during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency hearing on Capitol Hill, Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)
Rod Lamkey / AP
Allred’s decision comes on a day Crockett has set a 4:30 p.m. announcement where she expected to announce her campaign for the Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn. Allred had been campaigning for that seat since July 1. Talarico joined the contest in September.
Depending on how the remainder of the filing period unfolds, Crockett and Talarico could be in a sprint to the Senate nomination.
The March 3 primaries also feature the Republican Senate race, which includes Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston and Cornyn.
