Former Rep. Colin Allred defeated Rep. Julie Johnson to win the Democratic primary for Texas’ 33rd Congressional District in a runoff election on May 26.
Allred will face either Republican Patrick Gillespie in the general election. The heavily Democratic district, located in the Fort Worth area, is expected to remain in Democratic hands in November.
Allred initially launched a campaign for the Democratic nomination for Senate before dropping out to run for the 33rd District. He entered the race on the same day Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) announced her candidacy for the Senate. Crockett, who was endorsed by Allred, lost the primary to state Rep. James Talarico in March.
Johnson, who is serving her first term in Congress, entered the race after a redistricting process advanced by Texas Republicans pushed her out of the 32nd Congressional District. The seat became open after Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) announced he would not seek reelection.
During the campaign, Allred attacked Johnson over her past stock trades. Federal disclosures showed Johnson purchased stock in Palantir Technologies, a company whose technology is used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security in immigration enforcement operations.
Allred argued that someone who opposes the administration should not financially benefit from companies connected to those policies.
Johnson said she voluntarily divested from all stock holdings because she supported legislation banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks.
Responding to the criticism, Johnson told CBS Texas: "It's a false argument. Everyone knows I've had independent money managers. I immediately sold the Palantir stock when I became aware that we had it, and I made $90 on it.”
Allred during the runoff campaign told CBS Texas: "For six years in Congress, I could have traded stock. It was legal, but I thought it was unethical.”
Johnson also criticized Allred’s congressional tenure, arguing that he failed to deliver major legislative accomplishments despite Democrats controlling Congress and the White House during part of his time in office.
Fundraising became another major contrast in the race. Allred raised almost $7.63 million, while Johnson raised just over $2.25 million.
Johnson campaigned on the economy, cost of living, health care, housing, immigration and border security, LGBT issues, anti-corruption measures, and veterans’ issues. Allred focused his campaign on immigration reform, affordability, and fighting corruption.