Former Rep. Colin Allred solution abandoning his Senate bid and instead running for the House speaks volumes about the state of Democratic politics in Texas. Allred, who lost to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024 in one of the most expensive races in history, cited the risk of a divisive primary as a reason for his departure.
With the ever-controversial Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) poised to enter the contest, Allred argued that internal infighting would weaken the party's challenge to any Republican who emerged from their own crowded field. Allred's move clears the way for Crockett, a second-term congresswoman known for her tough-talking remarks in committee hearings and adamantly progressive stance. She gained national popularity with viral moments and outspoken criticism of Republicans, including ugly comparisons that made headlines.
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Still, Crockett's potential candidacy highlights a persistent Democratic dilemma: prioritizing base activists over broader appeal in a state that hasn't elected a statewide Democrat in decades.
🚨🚨🚨URGENTLY –@ColinAllredTXOUTSIDE THE SENATE PRIMARY. pic.twitter.com/axHJd4jdTS
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 8, 2025
Meanwhile, Texas Republicans faced their primary battle. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn is being challenged by Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt (TX-38), and the contest reflects an effort to replace Cornyn with someone who is a more pro-Trump and conservative senator. However, in a head-to-head duel with Crockett, all three men will defeat her. In the last surveyCornyn beats Crockett 49 to 41 percent, and Paxton beats Crockett 50 to 42 percent, while Hunt is considered a long shot.
My dude left DEI out of the primaries because of Crockett. Incredible. https://t.co/5Dy99hJllH
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) December 8, 2025
Recent redistricting that has strengthened the GOP's advantage on congressional maps has further complicated matters for Democrats, forcing musical chairs into safe House seats and pushing ambitious figures like Crockett onto bigger stages. The shake-up comes at a time when Democrats were hoping to capitalize on any backlash against the new administration in the midterms.
TEXAS SENATE RACE: Colin Allred has left the U.S. Senate race to vacate Jasmine Crockett's seat and is now targeting Julie Johnson's House seat. Texans will have to choose between the latest policies of Crockett's America and the first leadership of Ken Paxton's America. pic.twitter.com/y9ahiYi1RA
— @amuse (@amuse) December 8, 2025
Allred, a former Tennessee Titans and Baylor University linebacker and civil rights attorney, presented a moderate profile that appealed to independents and some Republicans in his race against Cruz. Crockett, by contrast, represents the party's left wing, whose style unites core supporters but risks alienating the suburban and rural voters needed for statewide success. The irony is clear: Democrats denounce Republican cartography as undemocratic, but the resulting destruction destroys their own unity.
A lengthy primary focused on progressive credentials may energize activists, but it could leave a candidate overwhelmed and out of step with Texas' center-right electorate. Conservatives should watch this closely. The fractured Democratic field plays into Republicans' hands, allowing the GOP nominee — whether it's the establishment Cornyn or a more hawkish challenger — to consolidate support and focus on issues like border security and economic growth that resonate across the state.
Ultimately, Allred's departure is a pragmatic concession to reality. Texas remains difficult territory for Democrats, and choosing unity over ambition may be their best hope. But if the party increases its ideological purity, it risks another cycle of high hopes and predictable results. The 2026 race will test whether Democrats have learned from past defeats or are content to energize a base that in Texas is simply not big enough to win.
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