Overview

• Allred is the first high-profile Democrat to enter the race for Sen. John Cornyn’s seat, which Democrats have not won since 1988.
• A former Tennessee Titans linebacker and Baylor graduate, Allred flipped a Dallas district to Congress in 2018 and lost to Ted Cruz by nearly nine points in 2024.
• Senator Cornyn is locked in a primary battle with Attorney General Ken Paxton, with President Trump’s endorsement expected to decide the nominee.
• Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke is weighing a run and former astronaut Terry Virts has joined, highlighting growing Democratic interest.
• Party strategists view the race as a critical opportunity to expand Democratic control of the Senate by targeting a traditionally Republican stronghold.