Colin Allred, a former NFL linebacker and former U.S. representative from Texas, is on track to return to Congress after winning a runoff election Tuesday. He defeated Rep. Julie Johnson in a contest for a newly redrawn House seat, according to The Associated Press.
The district, based in Dallas, is considered safely Democratic, making Allred’s victory nearly certain in the November general election. Last year, Republicans redrew the district to favor the GOP and aimed to flip as many as five seats across Texas. The primary campaign turned negative, with both candidates fighting to keep their political careers alive in one of the few Democratic-leaning districts remaining in the state.
Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey, the incumbent for the district, chose not to seek re-election. Johnson, a freshman lawmaker, entered the race after Republicans effectively removed her from her previous district. Allred, who previously served in Congress, vacated his seat to run unsuccessfully against Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024. He later suspended his 2026 Senate bid and decided to challenge Johnson for the open House seat.
During the final months of the Senate primary, Allred endorsed Rep. Jasmine Crockett and accused state Rep. James Talarico of making a racist remark about him during a private call. Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Senate, denied the claim, saying his comments referred to Allred’s campaign style. Crockett, who was supported by House Democratic leadership, Planned Parenthood, EMILY’s List, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, also endorsed Allred in April and campaigned alongside him.
Allred’s previous statewide campaigns and fundraising advantage helped him secure the most votes in the March 3 primary, leading Johnson by 11 points. Because he did not reach 50%, the race proceeded to a runoff, which he ultimately won.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
