By Trendsetter Tribune 
The race for Texas’s newly-redistricted 33rd Congressional District has transformed from a game of political musical chairs into a high-stakes battle for survival between two allies-turned-rivals. As early voting began on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, former Rep. Colin Allred faced a major symbolic blow: the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats officially endorsed his opponent, current Rep. Julie Johnson.
The move is being seen as a “shiner” for Allred, a former NFL player and Congressional Black Caucus member, as he struggles to regain his footing in the House after an unsuccessful 2024 Senate run.
The Allred-Johnson-Crockett Shuffle
The conflict began with the 2026 redistricting cycle, which drastically altered the Dallas-area map.
- The Original Plan: Colin Allred originally intended to challenge Sen. John Cornyn in 2026.
- The Entry of Crockett: When Rep. Jasmine Crockett entered the Senate race, Allred abruptly pivoted back to the House to avoid a “bruising” primary against her.
- The Clash: Allred filed for the 33rd District—a seat where Julie Johnson (his successor in the 32nd) had already declared her candidacy. The move was labeled “unconscionable” by some allies of Johnson, the first openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress from Texas.
A Controversial Start to Early Voting
Allred’s campaign hit immediate turbulence earlier this month over an alleged private conversation with State Rep. James Talarico, who is also running for the Senate.
The Allegation: Allred claimed in a social media video that Talarico called him a “mediocre Black man.”
The Denial: Talarico admitted to calling Allred’s campaigning mediocre but stated, “his life and service are not,” accusing Allred of a deliberate mischaracterization.
The fallout from this dispute, combined with Talarico’s recent surge in national visibility—boosted by a viral YouTube clip after CBS executives blocked his appearance on The Late Show—has left Allred isolated on the first day of voting.
Endorsement Leaderboard: TX-33
While Allred holds a significant cash advantage ($1.8 million to Johnson’s $800k), Johnson has effectively consolidated the Democratic establishment.
| Entity | Supporting Julie Johnson | Supporting Colin Allred |
| House Leadership | Hakeem Jeffries (Minority Leader) | — |
| National Figures | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | — |
| Advocacy Groups | EMILYs List, Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign | — |
| Local Coalitions | Texas Coalition of Black Democrats | Dallas Co. Comm. John Wiley Price |
| House Caucuses | New Democrat Coalition | — |
Key Dates for Texas Primaries
- Early Voting: Feb 17 – Feb 27, 2026
- Election Day: March 3, 2026
- Runoff Date (if needed): May 26, 2026
The endorsement of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats for a white candidate (Johnson) over a Black candidate (Allred) highlights the deep fractures in the North Texas Democratic base. Analysts note that with the 33rd District being 38% Hispanic, 35% white, and 20% Black, Johnson’s “broad coalition” strategy may be outstripping Allred’s reliance on name recognition.