Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC released the following statement on the results of the Democratic Primary in Texas’ 33rd Congressional District, where incumbent Democratic Congresswoman and Equality PAC Vice Chair Julie Johnson advanced to the May 26th runoff election. In that election, Johnson will face off against former Congressman Colin Allred, who dropped out of the Texas Senate race to challenge Johnson for her seat in Congress.
“These results are a testament to the strength of Congresswoman Julie Johnson’s campaign and the grassroots coalition that Equality PAC was proud to help mobilize across Texas’ 33rd Congressional District. From day one, we invested in organizing, voter outreach, and strategic support to ensure voters knew what was at stake in this race — and that work helped propel Julie into the May 26th runoff. This was never going to be an easy primary. Taking on a former Member of Congress with high name recognition required building a campaign rooted in trust, authenticity, and deep community ties. And because of the work we did together, North Texans responded to Julie’s proven leadership, her record of delivering for working families, and her unwavering commitment to equality.”
“As this race heads into the runoff, Equality PAC will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Julie Johnson. Texas’ new 33rd Congressional District includes the heart of Dallas’ LGBTQ community – and representation matters. We are committed to ensuring that this district continues to have a champion who reflects its values and will fight every day for fairness, opportunity, and dignity for all. We look forward to doubling down on our efforts to make sure Julie Johnson wins the Democratic nomination for this critical seat on May 26th.
Congresswoman Julie Johnson has built a record of governing with principle and purpose. She came to Congress after three terms in the Texas state house where she was known for passing bills related to health care and insurance reform. In Congress, she continues the fight to protect affordable health care, has introduced legislation to help Texans buy homes, defended reproductive freedom, and stood up for immigrant communities by challenging ICE misconduct and demanding real accountability. She was elected to Congress in 2024, and is the first openly LGBTQ person elected to federal office from Texas and the South.
In 2025, under Donald Trump’s direction, Texas Republicans redrew the congressional map to pack Democrats into fewer districts and deliberately strip North Texas communities of real representation. When that happened, Julie Johnson fought back, working with allies from the Texas Legislature to draw national attention to the desperate rigging of Texas maps. She did not abandon her constituents or go searching for the next political opportunity. She remains rooted in the communities she has represented since her first election to the Texas House and is running for re-election in Texas’ new 33rd Congressional District to continue that work.
Texas’ new 33rd Congressional District was drawn to be a safe Democratic district. Whichever candidate wins the May 26th runoff election will be heavily favored to win the general election in November.
Equality PAC’s primary mission is simple: to elect more LGBTQ+ persons to Congress — individuals who will have a seat at the table, impact the debate, and humanize the LGBTQ community’s concerns. Beyond this goal, Equality PAC also supports strong LGBTQ community allies who will proudly and unapologetically stand with us in the fight to pass the Equality Act and equal protection under our nation’s laws. All funds that Equality PAC raises are directed to re-elect and expand our small – but mighty – LGBTQ caucus and to elect a pro-Equality Majority in the House of Representatives.
Today, Equality PAC remains the only identity PAC that financially supports every Frontline Member and Red2Blue candidate because we know that without pro-Equality majorities, the progress our community has made and the civil rights and equal protections we have fought so hard for – and are still fighting for every day – remain in jeopardy.
In the short time that Equality PAC has existed, it has played an unmatched role in making history for the LGBTQ community, electing LGBTQ leaders at the federal level such as current House Members Sharice Davis (Kansas); Ritchie Torres (New York); Becca Balint (Vermont); Robert Garcia (California); Eric Sorensen (Illinois); Angie Craig (Minnesota); and Chris Pappas (New Hampshire).
And in the most recent elections, Equality PAC notched three huge historic wins: in TX-32 with Julie Johnson who made history as the first openly LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from Texas or the South; in WA-06 with Emily Randall who made history as the first ever queer Latina elected to Congress and the first LGBTQ Member from Washington state; and with DE state Senator Sarah McBride in DE-AL as the first trans person ever elected to Congress.
With their elections, we have DOUBLED the number of LGBTQ women in the House from 3 to 6. And for the first time ever – there is parity within the LGBTQ caucus with 6 women and 6 men serving together in the House. This is an incredible accomplishment. On top of this, 5 of the 12 LGBTQ persons serving right now in the House are persons of color. These are incredible accomplishments for our community and its representation in Congress
Equality PAC has grown exponentially since its founding by Congressman Mark Takano and former Congressman (now Governor) Jared Polis in 2014 – when we raised $32,000 from some very loyal and trusting friends who took a chance on us and the experiment we were at the time. Today, we are extraordinarily grateful to have deeply committed and generous supporters in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico – and throughout the grassroots, labor, and business communities.
In total, during the 2023-24 election cycle, we raised and spent an impressive $23.4m for Equality PAC and direct contributions for our endorsed Members and candidates, state Party funds, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and independent expenditure efforts. As we look to the 2026 election and possible opportunities – particularly in potential open House and Senate seat races – we anticipate making even more history and growing the LGBTQ House Caucus deeper into double digits and electing at least two new LGBTQ Senators.
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