At a Glance
- Former congressman Colin Allred will face incumbent Julie Johnson on March 3 in a newly drawn district.
- Early voting starts in about two months.
- The race stems from Republican redistricting that reshaped the seat.
- Why it matters: The outcome could signal how majority-minority districts are contested in Texas.
The March 3 primary pits former congressman Colin Allred against incumbent Julie Johnson in a district that was recently redrawn to favor Democrats. Allred abandoned a Senate bid after Jasmine Crockett entered the race and now seeks to represent the new majority-minority seat.
Redistricting Fallout
The district was redrawn by Republicans to extend into East Texas, a change that many Democrats say was a racist gerrymander. A lower court found the maps unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court let them stay in effect while appeals continue.
Colin Allred said:
> “We are losing representation from Black and brown voices across the state because of this racist gerrymander by President Trump that was intended to squeeze out more seats but particularly to target majority-minority districts.”
Julie Johnson replied:
> “I have been divesting, liquidating, and selling off all of my stock accounts to be in compliance with the stock trading ban.”
Campaign Claims and Endorsements
Allred argues he better understands voters in the new district, citing $135 million in federal funding secured during his tenure. Johnson counters with $15 million in recent allocations and says she introduced more legislation than any freshman member.
- Endorsements for Johnson:
- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (NY)
- Rep. Katherine Clark, Democratic Whip (MA)
- Rep. Pete Aguilar, Democratic Caucus Chair (CA)
- Allred’s criticisms:
- Johnson’s stock trades while in office
- The redistricting that favors Republicans
Other Candidates and Primary Dynamics
In addition to Allred and Johnson, the race includes local activist Carlos Quintanilla and public-interest lawyer Zeeshan Hafeez. Five candidates will compete in the Republican primary.
| Candidate | Funding Secured |
|---|---|
| Colin Allred | $135 million |
| Julie Johnson | $15 million |
Key Takeaways
- The primary is a direct result of contested redistricting.
- Allred’s focus is anti-corruption and representation of minority voters.
- Johnson enjoys high-profile Democratic endorsements and a record of federal resources.
With early voting approaching, voters in the new district will decide who will shape its future representation.
