Former Rep. Colin Allred is poised to return to Congress after winning a Democratic primary runoff in a newly redrawn Dallas-based House district.
Allred defeated Rep. Julie Johnson in Tuesday’s runoff, according to The Associated Press.
The district is considered safely Democratic, meaning Allred is heavily favored to win the November general election.
The race became one of the most closely watched Democratic runoffs in Texas because both candidates were fighting to preserve their political futures after Republicans redrew the state’s congressional map.
TRENDING TODAY
The Dallas-based district was redrawn to become even more Democratic as part of a broader Republican redistricting plan aimed at helping the GOP flip other seats across Texas.
The seat was left open after Rep. Marc Veasey decided not to seek re-election.
Johnson entered the race after the new map effectively pushed her out of her own district. She had previously succeeded Allred in Congress after he left the House to run for Senate against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024.
Allred later launched a 2026 Senate campaign but suspended it after failing to gain momentum. He then entered the House race, setting up a direct clash with Johnson.
The primary turned increasingly negative as both candidates fought for support in a deep-blue seat where the winner is almost certain to go to Congress.
Allred had the advantage of statewide name recognition from his Senate campaign and also held a fundraising edge.
He finished first in the March primary by an 11-point margin but failed to win more than 50% of the vote, forcing the runoff.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett endorsed Allred and campaigned with him, adding progressive firepower to his comeback bid.
Johnson was backed by House Democratic leadership, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, EMILY’s List and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The runoff also reflected ongoing tensions inside Texas Democratic politics after a heated Senate primary season. Allred had endorsed Crockett late in that Senate race after accusing Democratic nominee James Talarico of making a private remark he viewed as racist. Talarico denied the claim and said his comments were about Allred’s campaign style.
Talarico supported Johnson in the House runoff.
Allred’s victory gives him a likely path back to Washington and ends Johnson’s short tenure in Congress unless she seeks another office.
Why It Matters
Allred’s win marks a political comeback after his failed Senate bid against Ted Cruz and his suspended 2026 Senate campaign. It also shows how Texas redistricting has reshaped Democratic careers, forcing incumbents and former members into difficult primary fights.
What Comes Next
Allred will advance to the November general election in a safely Democratic district. He is expected to win and return to Congress representing a Dallas-based seat.
A related report showed Colin Allred speaking after defeating Julie Johnson in the Democratic runoff for a newly drawn North Texas congressional district.
After defeating U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson in the Democratic runoff for a newly drawn North Texas congressional district, former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred told supporters Democrats must “stand with working people” and vowed to fight for civil rights, diversity and accountability… pic.twitter.com/6UiqjBIc3I
— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) May 27, 2026
