Infighting within the Democratic Party intensified following a recent runoff election, where a few notable lawmakers took aim at former Rep. Colin Allred. Their criticism stemmed from Allred’s decision to challenge Texas’ only openly lesbian lawmaker, Rep. Julie Johnson, during the Democratic primary for a strongly Democratic House seat in Dallas.
Representatives Mark Takano and Ritchie Torres, who co-chair the political arm of the Equality Caucus, were particularly vocal. They pointed out in a statement that, without Johnson, Texas and, really, the entire South would lack openly LGBTQ representation in Congress. “Many in our community remain deeply hurt by Colin Allred’s decisions that challenge our own community,” they added.
They also emphasized that Allred must now work to mend the rifts his actions have caused and rebuild trust with the communities impacted by what they described as a form of racism.
The tensions within the party highlight a broader struggle over identity politics, particularly between straight Black Democrats and white lesbian members. Notably, some Democratic commentators criticized the backlash against Allred, suggesting it didn’t help the party’s image. For instance, journalist Josh Barro took to social media expressing his disgust, claiming it was fine for straight men to run for office.
This debate occurs amidst House Democratic leaders accusing Republicans of undermining Black representation in Congress through redistricting efforts in the South. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remarked on how Republicans are not just attempting to rig elections but are also looking to diminish Black and Latino representation.
Allred claimed victory in the runoff against Johnson by nearly 8 points, marking a significant moment for his career, while ending Johnson’s brief tenure in Congress. She had replaced Allred after he lost in the 2024 Senate race against Sen. Ted Cruz.
Allred decided to run against Johnson after pausing his Senate campaign late last year. As of now, neither Allred nor Johnson’s representatives have commented on the recent developments.
