Former U.S. Representative Colin Allred has officially withdrawn from the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Texas and declared his candidacy for the newly redrawn 33rd Congressional District. This dramatic pivot reshapes the political landscape in Dallas–Fort Worth and sets up a high-stakes Democratic primary.
🚨 The Decision to Pivot: What Changed
On December 8, 2025, Colin Allred announced he was ending his bid for the U.S. Senate. Instead of continuing in a highly contested primary, he opted to run for Congress in Texas’s reconfigured 33rd District. The reallocation of districts in Texas — approved under new maps — combined with shifting political dynamics likely influenced the decision.
Allred’s exit from the Senate race simplifies the Democratic field for 2026 and avoids a potentially divisive primary. He cited concerns that a drawn-out nomination fight might fracture the party’s unity ahead of a crucial election cycle. Now he aims to return to the U.S. House with renewed focus on local representation.
Why Colin Allred Is Focusing on District 33
Several factors make the new 33rd District an appealing target:
- Redrawn boundaries: The updated map reshuffles the Dallas–Fort Worth region, creating a district that includes neighborhoods and communities Allred is already familiar with.
- Familiar voter base: Portions of the 33rd overlap with areas Allred represented from 2019 to 2025 — giving him a name-recognition advantage.
- Changing political terrain: New districts reflect the broader redistricting effort in Texas, which reshaped many seats and prompted a scramble among incumbents and former lawmakers.
From Allred’s viewpoint, the 33rd offers a practical route back into elective office — with local roots, existing relationships, and a realistic path to victory.
Political Background: From NFL to Capitol Hill
Colin Allred’s journey to Congress has been far from conventional. Before entering politics, he played linebacker in the NFL. After leaving football, he earned a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Later, he served in the Obama administration and worked as a civil-rights attorney.
In 2018, Allred flipped a long-held Republican House seat by defeating 11-term incumbent Pete Sessions. He represented Texas’s 32nd District from 2019 through 2025. During his tenure, he championed bipartisan legislation and earned recognition for supporting working-class and union-oriented policies.
In 2024, Allred ran for the U.S. Senate, attempting to unseat incumbent Senator Ted Cruz. He secured about 44.6 % of the vote to Cruz’s 53.05 % — a respectable showing, though not enough to win statewide office. Undeterred, he launched a second Senate campaign on July 1, 2025, aiming for the seat held by Senator John Cornyn.
By December 2025, however, he concluded that a new bid for the House better aligned with his political goals and offered a stronger chance to serve.
Democratic Dynamics: Senate Exit, House Entry
Allred’s withdrawal reshuffles the Democratic primary landscape in Texas:
- His exit clears a major potential obstacle for other Democratic contenders. In recent weeks, state Rep. James Talarico declared his candidacy. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett is widely expected to announce her own Senate run.
- The decision avoids a bruising primary that could force a runoff — a scenario Democrats viewed as risky ahead of a hotly contested general election.
- Allred’s move also signals strategic recalibration: rather than expending resources in a statewide race, he’s returning to more localized politics where he holds strong connections.
This recalibration matters. For Democrats, it preserves one of their most influential and experienced voices. For Republicans, it reshapes who they may face in both the Senate and House races.
What’s Next: The Battle for District 33
The newly drawn 33rd District is now the center of a brewing primary battle. Allred’s entry sets the stage for a likely showdown with current U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, who was first elected to the 32nd District in 2024 after Allred left to run for Senate.
Other potential challengers or prospects include newcomers and political hopefuls seeking opportunity in the redrawn landscape. For voters and political watchers, key questions now include:
- Will Allred’s previous service and local ties tip the balance in his favor?
- Can Julie Johnson — now seeking election in a different district — compete effectively against a well-known former representative?
- How will campaign messaging evolve to reflect the new district boundaries and demographic mix?
The outcome will influence not just representation in Congress, but the broader balance of power in Texas politics.
What This Move Signals for 2026 Politics
Colin Allred’s strategic pivot carries implications beyond a single district:
- For Democrats: The shift preserves party unity and reallocates resources — rather than entering a tumultuous Senate primary, top talent returns to the House, reinforcing Democratic presence in key districts.
- For Republicans: With Allred out of the Senate race, GOP challengers face potentially less fractured opposition. The new Texas map already benefits Republicans, and a streamlined Democratic contest may make it easier for a Republican nominee to compete statewide.
- For Voters: Residents of the revamped 33rd District may gain a representative experienced in both law and congress — someone who knows the area, its challenges, and the political terrain.
Overall, the move underscores how redistricting and shifting ambitions continue to reshape Texas’s congressional and Senate landscape ahead of 2026.
Who Is Colin Allred, and What Does He Stand For
Colin Allred represents a blend of working-class roots, public service, and bipartisan ambition:
- He grew up attending public schools, raised by a single mother working hard to support the family. That background informs his message: government should serve ordinary working people.
- As a civil-rights attorney and former HUD official, he has called for reforms to protect underrepresented communities and to uphold the values of fairness and opportunity.
- During his time in Congress, many of his bills earned bipartisan support, reflecting a pragmatic, results-oriented approach rather than partisan posturing.
By running for the 33rd District, Allred signals his intent to return to hands-on public service, focusing on local issues and practical solutions for working families.
A Critical Turning Point for Texas Democrats
In many ways, Colin Allred’s decision marks a turning point for Democrats in Texas. It blends personal ambition, strategic calculation, and an acute awareness of political realities.
Rather than continuing a statewide campaign with uncertain prospects, Allred chose a path grounded in where he is known, respected, and likely to have impact. In doing so, he may reinvigorate grassroots support, tap into community networks, and compete effectively in a district that counts him among its own.
His pivot could help stabilize Democratic efforts in a state where redistricting and shifting demographics have sparked uncertainty. It could also restore to Congress a voice many saw as influential and effective.
For now, all eyes are on District 33 — and on how this new chapter in Allred’s political career unfolds.
Let me know if you’d like an electoral map breakdown, candidate profiles for District 33, or a deeper dive into how redistricting shaped this race.