Texas Democrats force runoff between pioneering LGBTQ+ current House rep and ex-congressman

Rep. Julie Johnson and former Rep. Colin Allred will face each other once more before voters know who will stand for election in November.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson and former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred are heading for a runoff election after neither received more than 50 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary for Texas's 33rd Congressional District. Johnson is the first out LGBTQ+ person from Texas and the broader U.S. South elected to Congress, while Allred previously represented the congressional seat Johnson now holds.

Why it matters

This race pits two well-known Democrats from the area against each other and has become one of the most unusual intraparty matchups of the 2026 election cycle. The outcome will determine who represents the 33rd Congressional District, which was redrawn during mid-decade redistricting.

The details

With nearly 74 percent of votes counted by 10:30 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday, Allred led Johnson 44.8 to 33.7 percent, according to NBC News. Voters will cast their ballots again on May 26 to determine a winner. Before coming to Congress, Johnson served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives, where she helped establish the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus and frequently spoke out against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation advanced by Republican lawmakers.

  • The race is one of several closely watched Texas contests triggered by mid-decade redistricting that scrambled the region's political map.
  • Voters will cast their ballots again on May 26 to determine a winner.

The players

Rep. Julie Johnson

The first out LGBTQ+ person from Texas and the broader U.S. South elected to Congress. She currently represents the 32nd District and is running for the 33rd District.

Former Rep. Colin Allred

Previously represented the congressional seat Johnson now holds. He vacated the position to challenge Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in the 2024 Senate race, which he lost.

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What they’re saying

“I looked forward to continuing to represent the area in Washington, D.C., after I was drawn from the 32nd District, which I currently represent.”

— Rep. Julie Johnson (The Advocate)

What’s next

Voters will cast their ballots again on May 26 to determine a winner.

The takeaway

This race highlights the ongoing political shifts in Texas, with two prominent Democrats vying for the same congressional seat after redistricting. The outcome will be closely watched as it could impact the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.