Introduction to the 2026 Texas Senate Election
The 2026 Texas primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Cornyn is drawing a field of strong candidates, and primaries on both sides are expected to be competitive. The outcome of the race could have a significant impact on state and national politics. Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred is one of the candidates running for the Democratic Senate nomination. He recently announced support from 12 Black congressional and Texas House members, signaling that he hopes Black voters will help propel him to the nomination.
Allred’s Support and Competition
Allred is expected to face a tough fight for the nomination from state Rep. James Talarico of Austin, who entered the contest last week to significant fanfare. A spokesman for Talarico’s campaign said the Austin Democrat raised $1 million in the first 12 hours after he entered the race. The list of Allred backers includes U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth and the dean of the North Texas delegation to Congress. Veasey was an early supporter of Allred and six other Congressional Black Caucus members announced their support of Allred last week. Endorsing Allred were Democratic state Reps. Toni Rose and Venton Jones of Dallas, and Rhetta Andrews Bowers of Rowlett. Outside of the Dallas area, Allred scored the support of state Reps. Alma Allen of Houston and Barbara Gervin-Hawkins of San Antonio.
Political Analysis
Political analysts say the 2026 midterm elections have a different political tone for many Democrats, including Allred. In his 2024 Senate campaign against Republican Ted Cruz, Allred stressed his bipartisan credentials and his ability to produce results in a fractured Congress. However, this strategy was questioned by some Democrats, especially after he lost by nearly nine percentage points to Cruz. Allred did outperform Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to President Donald Trump in Texas by 14 percentage points. His outperformance of Harris indicates he had some support from independents and Republicans, though some Democrats and analysts considered his defeat to Cruz after polls showed a close race a disappointment.
Allred’s New Strategy
Allred’s pronounced outreach to Black voters is a departure from his 2024 Senate campaign. Michael Adams, a political scientist at Texas Southern University, said Allred has “changed his playbook to actively seek urban voters,” especially Black women. Adams said opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies and the fight to stop a Republican-driven plan to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries could energize Black voters. “The new maps, the notion of saving democracy and other anti-Trump messages will be used to drive Black voter turnout,” Adams said. “Allred is tapping into this, where in his last campaign he was appealing to moderates and centrist Democrats.”
Importance of Black Vote
Adams said turning out and winning the Black vote is critical for Democrats. “Given how low turnout can be in primaries, it’s going to be important to have a robust Black vote turnout,” Adams said. “The buckle in the belt of the Democratic Party has always been older Black women and these are the voters you need on your side if you’re banking on turnout.” The candidate who emerges with the Democratic Party’s nomination will face the winner of the GOP race that features incumbent John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Statements from Supporters
Black elected leaders backing Allred issued statements praising the former NFL linebacker for his life story and public service. “Colin Allred has never forgotten where he came from or who he’s fighting for,” Bowers said. “From Dallas to Washington, he has been a steadfast voice for families too often left out of the conversation — working to lower costs, expand access to health care, and protect our freedoms.” “Colin Allred is Dallas through and through — raised by a single mom right here, he’s never forgotten the families who shaped him,” Rose said. Jones said “Texas needs a Senator who will fight for working people, and I know Dallas’ own Colin Allred is the perfect person for the job.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2026 Texas Senate election is expected to be highly competitive, with former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred facing a tough fight for the Democratic nomination. Allred’s new strategy of outreach to Black voters may help him win the nomination, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to propel him to victory in the general election. The importance of the Black vote in the Democratic primary cannot be overstated, and Allred’s ability to turn out and win this vote will be critical to his success.
FAQs
Q: Who is running for the Democratic Senate nomination in Texas?
A: Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Rep. James Talarico are two of the candidates running for the Democratic Senate nomination in Texas.
Q: What is Allred’s new strategy in his campaign?
A: Allred’s new strategy is to outreach to Black voters, especially Black women, and to emphasize his support for issues such as lowering costs, expanding access to healthcare, and protecting freedoms.
Q: Why is the Black vote important in the Democratic primary?
A: The Black vote is important in the Democratic primary because it has historically been a critical component of the Democratic coalition, and turning out and winning this vote is essential for Democratic success.
Q: Who are some of the key supporters of Allred’s campaign?
A: Some of the key supporters of Allred’s campaign include U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, Democratic state Reps. Toni Rose and Venton Jones, and Rhetta Andrews Bowers.
Q: What is the expected outcome of the 2026 Texas Senate election?
A: The outcome of the 2026 Texas Senate election is uncertain, but it is expected to be highly competitive, with the winner of the Democratic primary facing off against the winner of the GOP primary.
The crowd cheers as U.S. Senate candidate and voting rights lawyer Colin Allred takes the stage during the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, at Greater St. Stephen First Church in Fort Worth.
Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer
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