Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred defeated incumbent Rep. Julie Johnson in Tuesday’s Democratic primary runoff for Texas’ newly drawn 33rd Congressional District, securing the nomination in a hard-fought contest centered in Dallas County.
Allred earned approximately 53.9% of the vote to Johnson’s 46.1%, according to results reported Tuesday night with a strong majority of precincts reporting. The runoff, held May 26, 2026, followed the March 3 primary in which neither candidate reached 50%. The race drew significant attention due to the unusual matchup of two former allies forced into competition by 2025 Republican-led redistricting.
The newly configured 33rd District covers portions of Dallas, Irving, and Grand Prairie and is considered one of the most solidly Democratic seats in Texas. Allred, who previously represented the neighboring 32nd District before running for Senate in 2024, returns to the congressional arena as the heavy favorite in November.
He will face Republican Patrick Gillespie, who won his party’s runoff on the same night. Gillespie advanced from the March primary and is expected to face long odds in the deep-blue district in the November 3 general election.
The contest highlighted tensions within the Democratic Party in North Texas following redistricting that reshaped several Dallas-area seats. Johnson had succeeded Allred in the 32nd District, but boundary changes placed both in the new 33rd. Turnout remained relatively low, typical for a primary runoff.
Allred, a former NFL player, civil rights attorney, and Dallas native, campaigned on expanding economic opportunity, protecting reproductive rights, and strengthening healthcare access for working families in the district.
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