Introduction to the 32nd Congressional District Election
Republican candidates are lining up to compete in the redrawn 32nd Congressional District, a seat controlled by Democrats since 2019 but likely to return to the GOP column.
There are at least seven announced Republican contenders for the March primary and many more are expected to join the race before the Dec. 8 filing deadline. The announced candidates include Richardson pastor and businessman Ryan Binkley, Marine veteran Aimee Carrasco, former Arlington City Council member Darrell Day, Air Force veteran Monty Montanez, Navy veteran Eric Niehaus, Army veteran Zain Shaito and James Ussery.
Binkley, a businessman and founding pastor of Create Church, ran for president in 2024. Day was the 2024 GOP nominee for the seat. He lost to Democrat Julie Johnson of Farmers Branch.
Johnson, in her first term, no longer lives in District 32. That doesn’t disqualify her from seeking reelection there, but the configuration of the newly drawn district makes it unlikely she would win. Johnson told me she’s running in congressional District 33, which was revamped to be a Dallas-anchored district favorable to a Democrat. Veteran U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, serves the district and is considering his options.
Potential Candidates and Their Backgrounds
It’s unclear which GOP candidate will emerge victorious, and the biggest intrigue involves potential candidates who have been mentioned as possible contenders but are not yet in the race.
Republican activists are waiting to see if state Rep. Katrina Pierson, R-Rockwall, opts to run for Congress. She is currently running for reelection to House District 33, parts of which are included in the new congressional district. Pierson also has connections to many of the East Texas communities now part of District 32.
House District 33 Republican candidate Katrina Pierson pose for a photo during her campaign event on, Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the Yacht Club in Rockwall.
Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer
In 2014, Pierson mounted an unsuccessful primary campaign against U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions for District 32. Sessions, who lost the seat to Colin Allred in 2018, now represents District 17 that includes Waco.
She said there has been enthusiasm from supporters and residents in the district about the prospect of her mounting a congressional campaign.
“I have not ruled it out,” Pierson told me. “It is possible.”
Another big name mentioned as a possible contender is Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.
Johnson became a Republican in 2023 during his second term as mayor. He served nearly 10 years in the Texas House as a Democrat before changing political affiliations.
Johnson has been mentioned as a potential congressional candidate in the past, but opted to run for mayor. He has established the Republican Mayors Association and spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
A run for Congress, or any other partisan post, would test Johnson’s strength in a GOP primary. He’s a ferocious campaigner, but would have to explain to primary voters his years as a Democrat.
City of Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson calls on a council member during a discussion on an amendment before a vote as the Dallas City Council assembled to approve the new $5.2 billion budget during a meeting in the council chambers at City Hall, located at 1500 Marilla Street in Dallas on September 17, 2025.
Steve Hamm / Special Contributor
I asked Johnson if he was considering running for congress, or any other post in 2026.
“Right now, my focus is on the job the people of this city elected me to do–keeping our residents safe, keeping taxes low, and working with the City Council to pass a responsible budget that reflects our community’s priorities,” Johnson wrote in a text message. “There’s always speculation in politics, but today my attention remains on serving our city.”
Dallas just passed its $5.2 billion budget in the wee hours of Thursday morning. It was the largest budget in city history, but included a reduction in the tax rate.
The filing deadline for 2026 primary elections begins Nov. 8 and closes Dec. 8.
Other Notable Candidates and the District’s History
