first out LGBTQ+ A person elected to Congress from the South lost a high-profile election. Democratic Party Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson in Tuesday night’s primary. texas” The newly redrawn 33rd Congressional District.
As of 11:07 p.m. EDT, 78.17 percent of precincts were reporting; According to Allred, head of the Decision Desk, led Johnson in the Dallas runoff election, 53.76% to 46.24%.
Johnson’s loss was a huge loss for LGBTQ+ representation in Southern politics. The Dallas Democrat made history in 2024 as the first LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from a southern state.
related: Julie Johnson just made history as the first LGBTQ+ person from the South to be elected to Congress.
The race emerged after Texas Republicans aggressively rewrote North Texas’ congressional maps, redistricting Democratic districts and forcing several prominent Democrats into direct competition.
Mr. Johnson replaced Mr. Allred in Congress after his unsuccessful Senate campaign against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.
The runoff election became increasingly hostile in the final weeks. Mr Johnson portrayed Mr Allred as incompetent during his time in Congress and accused him of moving to the right on immigration. Mr Allred responded by criticizing Mr Johnson’s investment in Palantir Technologies, a company involved in parliamentary stock trading and immigration enforcement work.
related: Texas Democratic Party forces runoff election between current and former LGBTQ+ pioneer congressman
The runoff also exposed growing tensions within Texas Democratic Party politics. Rep. Jasmine Crockett supported Mr. Allred, while progressive state Rep. James Talarico, who defeated Mr. Crockett in the primary and became the Democratic Senate candidate, supported Mr. Johnson.
Paxton will face Talarico in the November general election.
This is a developing story.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
