Texas politics just took a sharp turn with a surprising exit and a potential new contender stirring the pot.
Former Rep. Colin Allred, once the Democrat standard-bearer for a Texas Senate seat, has stepped away from that race to pursue a congressional position in the newly drawn 33rd District, while on the same day, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D) is set to reveal if she’ll challenge Sen. John Cornyn for the Senate.
Allred’s pivot away from the Senate race comes with a stated desire to avoid a divisive Democratic primary.
“In the past few days, I’ve come to believe that a bruising Senate Democratic primary and runoff would prevent the Democratic Party from going into this critical election unified,” Allred said.
That’s a noble sentiment on paper, but let’s be honest—ducking a tough fight might just be a savvy move to secure a safer seat in a district he claims is unfairly drawn.
His new target, the 33rd District, is described by Allred as “racially gerrymandered” by political forces he opposes, yet it’s also the community of his childhood, which adds a personal layer to his campaign.
On the flip side, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, known for her sharp criticism of conservative leadership, is on the cusp of announcing whether she’ll take on Sen. Cornyn.
She’s been teasing this decision for days, recently stating she’s “closer to yes than no” on a Senate bid.
That confidence might raise eyebrows, but in a state as vast as Texas, with 30 million residents, turning bravado into votes is no small feat.
Crockett isn’t shy about her prospects, asserting, “The data says that I can win.”
While data is nice, as she herself admits, executing a campaign in a state this size is a logistical nightmare, potentially costing upwards of $100 million—a figure that could make even the most optimistic donor pause.
Her appeal, she claims, lies with key voter demographics who backed Democrats in recent out-of-state elections, positioning her as a formidable force despite skepticism from some quarters.
Both Allred and Crockett are playing high-stakes chess in a state where conservative values often dominate, and their moves could reshape the Democratic strategy against a strong Republican incumbent like Cornyn.
While Allred seeks to return to Congress in a district he knows well, Crockett’s potential Senate run could either energize her party’s base or expose the limits of a progressive agenda in a red-leaning state—either way, Texas voters are in for a show.
