Colin Allred’s runoff win over Rep. Julie Johnson drew criticism from Equality PAC leaders, exposing tensions over representation in a safe Democratic Texas seat.
Colin Allred’s Democratic primary runoff victory over Rep. Julie Johnson has triggered public criticism from leaders of Equality PAC, who said his challenge to Texas’ only openly lesbian member of Congress left divisions he now must repair.
Allred, a former Texas congressman, defeated Johnson on Tuesday by nearly 8 points in the runoff for a deep-blue, Dallas-anchored House seat. The result positions him for a return to Congress after Johnson had succeeded him when he left the House to run unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2024.
Reps. Mark Takano of California and Ritchie Torres of New York, co-chairs of Equality PAC, faulted Allred’s decision to run against Johnson in the Democratic primary. “It’s no secret that, without Julie, Texas — and likely the entire South — will lose openly LGBTQ representation in Congress,” they said in a Wednesday statement. “Many in our community remain deeply hurt by Colin Allred’s decision to challenge one of our own.”
The co-chairs said Allred has “a responsibility to help heal those divisions and rebuild trust with the communities impacted by this race” as he moves forward.
The criticism underscored a sensitive fight inside the party over representation and electoral strategy in a safe Democratic seat. Equality PAC had invested at least $484,000 in Johnson’s campaign, the Texas Tribune reported, and Johnson also serves as a vice chair of the group.
Not all Democratic-aligned voices welcomed the PAC’s statement. Journalist Josh Barro wrote on social media that “Straight people are allowed to run for office,” while Tré Easton, a former senior aide to Sen. John Fetterman, responded, “Leave this s--- in Woke 1, besties.”
Allred’s win came after he suspended his 2026 Senate campaign and moved late last year to challenge Johnson for the House seat. The source report said spokespeople for Allred and Johnson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The next test for Allred will be whether the party’s factions quickly close ranks in a district described as strongly Democratic, or whether the runoff leaves lingering tensions among groups that backed Johnson.
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