Texas Democrats push LGBTQ+ incumbent into runoff against former congressman.

The Democratic primary race in Texas' 33rd Congressional District has resulted in a runoff election between incumbent Julie Johnson and former Representative Colin Allred. Neither candidate secured a majority, prompting a May 26 runoff to determine the Democratic nominee for the district.

The Democratic primary race in Texas' 33rd Congressional District has led to a runoff election between incumbent U.S. Representative Julie Johnson and former U.S. Representative Colin Allred. Neither candidate secured enough votes to win outright, as reported by Decision Desk HQ. This race is part of several high-profile contests in Texas shaped by recent mid-decade redistricting, which has altered the state's political dynamics.

Details of the Runoff Election

Julie Johnson, who currently represents the 32nd District, and Colin Allred, a former occupant of the 33rd District, will face off again in a runoff election on May 26 to determine the Democratic candidate for the 33rd Congressional District. As of 10:30 AM Eastern on Wednesday, with approximately 74% of the votes counted, Allred led with 44.8% of the vote, compared to Johnson's 33.7%, according to NBC News.

Julie Johnson's Historic Role

Julie Johnson has gained national recognition as the first openly LGBTQ+ individual elected to Congress from Texas and the broader Southern United States. She expressed enthusiasm for continuing her work in Washington, D.C. after the redistricting shifted her from the 32nd District to the newly drawn 33rd District. Prior to her congressional career, Johnson served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives, where she was instrumental in founding the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus. She has also been a staunch opponent of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation proposed by Republican lawmakers.

Colin Allred's Political Background

Colin Allred, who once held the seat now occupied by Johnson, left the House to challenge Republican Senator Ted Cruz in the 2024 Senate race. However, he was not successful in that bid. The upcoming runoff marks a rare intraparty contest between two prominent Democratic figures from the same region, making it one of the most significant primary elections in Texas for the 2026 election cycle.

Context and Implications of the Race

The redistricting process in Texas has drastically changed the political landscape, leading to new and competitive matchups among incumbents. Julie Johnson’s position as the first openly LGBTQ+ representative from the South has made her a target in efforts led by Republican lawmakers to redraw district boundaries in ways that could disadvantage her. The runoff election will determine which candidate moves forward to the general election, with Johnson hoping to continue her historic tenure and Allred aiming to reclaim his former congressional seat.

Related Races and National Attention

Other races in Texas are also gaining attention due to the impacts of redistricting and the presence of LGBTQ+ candidates. Johnson’s campaign reflects the ongoing efforts by LGBTQ+ representatives to secure and maintain political representation in regions that are undergoing political realignment. Allred’s return to the congressional race highlights the competitiveness of the state's Democratic Party, which is witnessing a notable shift as a result of the changes in district boundaries.

This election is drawing national attention as observers closely watch how redistricting, the representation of historic communities, and party competition play out in the broader context of Texas politics. Voters in the 33rd District will decide the Democratic nominee on May 26, who will then face the Republican contender in the general election.

Sources:

• Texas Democrats force runoff between pioneering LGBTQ+ current House rep and ex-congressman
• Rep. Julie Johnson heads to Democratic primary runoff against predecessor Colin Allred
• Colin Allred and Julie Johnson are headed to a runoff in Democratic primary

Author: Logan Reeves
Logan Reeves is a sports analyst and journalist. He writes match reviews, conducts athlete interviews, and produces data-driven predictions.