Former U.S. Representative Colin Allred has pulled out of the Texas Senate race to launch a comeback bid for his old House seat in newly drawn District 33.
Why Allred is Switching
Allred said he wanted to avoid “a bruising Senate primary and runoff” that could threaten Democrats’ chances in the general election. Instead, he will run for the House in a newly‑drawn district in the Dallas‑Fort Worth area that he represented from 2019‑2025.
The New House District
The district is part of the GOP‑run Legislature’s map approved earlier this year. It includes many of the areas Allred served in Congress. Most of the district is currently represented by Rep. Marc Veasey, who plans to run in a new neighboring district.
Impact on the Democratic Field
Allred’s decision signals that Rep. Jasmine Crockett is likely to enter the Senate race. Crockett will announce on Monday, the final day of qualifying in Texas, whether she will run for the seat held by Republican John Cornyn. The move also leaves the Democratic field open, as Allred did not name Crockett or state Rep. James Talarico in his explanation.
Republican Primary Outlook
Republicans expect a hotly contested primary among incumbent John Cornyn, state Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Texas Primary Timeline
- First date to request a ballot by mail: January 1, 2026
- Last day to register to vote in the primary: February 2, 2026
- Early voting begins: February 17, 2026
- Primary date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Runoff (if needed): May 26, 2026
- General election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Allred noted that an internal party battle would “prevent the Democratic Party from going into this critical election unified against the danger posed to our communities and our Constitution by Donald Trump and one of his Republican bootlickers.”
Key Takeaways
- Allred drops Senate bid to seek House seat in District 33.
- Jasmine Crockett is expected to run for the Senate seat held by John Cornyn.
- Texas primary dates run from January 1 to March 3, 2026, with a potential runoff on May 26.
The shift reshapes the Democratic strategy in Texas ahead of the March 2026 primary and a contested Republican field.
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