Former U.S. Representative Colin Allred, a Democrat from Texas, officially launched his 2026 Senate campaign on Monday, setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in the country.
Allred, a former NFL linebacker and civil rights attorney, becomes the first major Democratic contender to enter the race. He previously challenged Senator Ted Cruz in 2024, losing by 8.5 percentage points, but emerged with increased name recognition and a strong fundraising network.
In a campaign video released on social media, Allred criticized Republican leadership in Texas, stating, “The people that we elected to help – politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton – are too corrupt to care about us and too weak to fight for us. I know Washington is broken. The system is rigged. But it doesn’t have to be this way.”
A Potentially Competitive Race
If Allred secures the Democratic nomination in the March primary, he will face the winner of a high-stakes Republican primary between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Early polling suggests Paxton holds a lead over Cornyn, setting up a potentially divisive battle within the GOP.
Texas remains a Republican-leaning state, but recent election cycles have shown growing momentum among Democrats, particularly in urban and suburban areas. The party sees a potential opening in 2026, especially if the GOP nominee is Paxton, whose political career has been marred by legal controversies and ethical questions.
Democrats Eye Opportunity
National Democratic strategists view a Paxton nomination as an opportunity to flip the seat. Paxton, who was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 but later acquitted in the Senate, continues to face scrutiny over alleged corruption and abuse of office.
Allred’s early entry into the race positions him to build broad support and capitalize on any Republican disunity. With Texas poised to attract significant national attention and outside spending, the Senate race is expected to play a pivotal role in determining control of the upper chamber in 2026.
