The field of candidates competing to be the Democrat nominee vying to replace U.S. Congressman Colin Allred in the Dallas-centered 32nd Congressional District of Texas is growing.
Allred has left the high-profile metropolitan seat ostensibly open in order to challenge Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) for his place in the U.S. Senate.
Now, two members of the Texas House, Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers (D-Rowlett) and Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Farmers Branch), are expected to launch campaigns for the seat, joining trauma surgeon Brian Williams, who announced his candidacy in May, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Even though both Bowers and Johnson represent Texas House districts in the DFW metro area, parts of Bowers’ district lie within District 32, which might help her campaign as some of the primary voters will already be familiar with her.
“I’m excited about that opportunity and the possibility of serving some of my constituents and gaining some new constituents,” said Bowers, who is expected to launch her campaign in June, per the DMN. “It’s an honor to be thought of, and even more an honor to have so much early support, even before I announce.”
Johnson told the DMN that she is “discussing the race with the community and expect[s] to make an announcement in the coming days. Texas Democrats need our best candidates on the ticket in 2024, and I know I can turn the tables in Washington and make the government work for the people.”
Williams garnered some notoriety for leading the Parkland Memorial Hospital’s trauma room when the police victims of the 2016 sniper ambush arrived. He attributes that event to prompting his turn to politics and has made his anti-gun position a focus of his campaign.
The 32nd District, which includes areas in northern, eastern, and southeastern Dallas County and much of east Plano in Collin County, used to be a Republican seat until Allred defeated incumbent Pete Sessions in 2018. Allred has since won two more terms.
Since the seat flipped, redistricting has all but secured the seat for Democrats.
The DMN reported that some political experts anticipate that Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson may decide to run for Allred’s seat, though he said he is not interested.
“I’m focused on making Dallas the safest big city with the lowest taxes, the best park system, and the most diversified and robust economy in America,” he told the DMN.
