When Texas Republicans in the Legislature unveiled their proposed congressional map in July, the dilemma for North Texas Democrats was evident: there were three of them, and only two seats that remained within reach.

U.S. Reps. Jasmine Crockett, Julie Johnson and Marc Veasey currently serve three heavily Democratic districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. But all three saw their seats overhauled, with Johnson’s turned into a safely Republican district that stretches into East Texas, and Veasey’s hometown and political base of Fort Worth removed altogether from his district.

As it turned out, Crockett and Veasey both decided to leave the House. On Monday, the last day for candidates to file for the 2026 ballot, Crockett announced she was running for Senate, while Veasey entered the race for Tarrant County judge.

But Johnson, the only remaining incumbent, still ended up with a tough primary race.

Rather than having to take on Crockett or Veasey, Johnson is facing a primary with her predecessor — former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. Allred, a Democrat who represented the Dallas-based 32nd Congressional District for three terms before losing the 2024 Senate race, had been running for Senate again this cycle. He dropped out Monday and pivoted to the 33rd Congressional District — where Johnson had already announced her intent to run — in anticipation of Crockett’s entry to the Senate race.