WASHINGTON — The Texas Democrats running for U.S. Senate are working to shore up support from one of the most critical parts of their base — Black voters. Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, is already highlighting endorsements from Black elected officials in Congress and at the Texas Capitol.
At a Fort Worth church this summer, some North Texans not only railed against the Republican redistricting plan, but also touted their support for Allred’s bid for U.S. Senate. Among those endorsers is a friend and neighbor, U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth.
“Being a former football captain at Baylor, I think that he really does know how to bring people from all different backgrounds together. So it’s great and amazing that he has so many Black leaders endorsing him, but I also know that he’s going to be able to bring in a much broader coalition,” Veasey told Spectrum News.
The Dallas Democrat appears to be growing a network of support from Black elected leaders. At the federal level, he has the support of the chair of Congressional Black Caucus, U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-New York.
“Policymaking is informed by lived experiences, and Colin, you know, brings very formidable experiences to the table, and so we’ll have a voice that we don’t typically have at the table,” Clarke said.
This week, Allred’s campaign announced endorsements from state government with the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, whose members work alongside Allred’s key competitor so far in the Democratic primary, state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin.
State Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers, D-Garland, said Allred has long fought for voting rights and his story is one that people resonate with.
“He has a coalition of elected leaders that believe in him, believe in the type of representation he brings to the table, and believe in the kind of leader he will be,” Bowers said. “it says a lot about a candidate when you can run for something and lose well.”
It is Allred’s second run for Senate after losing to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, last November by 9 percentage points.
Some Democratic strategists point to how notable it is for Allred early this campaign season to reach out to Black voters, given how significant they are to the Democratic base.
“I think he went soul searching, went to go see the feedback that he had from his campaign, from 2024 and you’re seeing him apply that feedback, right?” said Odus Evbagharu, treasurer of the Texas Democratic Party. “Whether it’s reaching out to rule voters, whether it’s reaching out to Democrats, whether it’s reaching out to black leaders, Hispanic leaders, Asian leaders, folks who are disenfranchised and marginalized, folks who are on the grassroots.”
Black elected officials have also appeared at different events in support of Talarico’s campaign for Senate.
State Rep. Sheryl Cole, D-Austin, said on social media: “Mom and I are proud to support my friend and colleague @jamestalarico to be our next U.S. Senator!”
Texas State Board of Education Member Staci Child said at a rally in Houston, “We need James Talarico in the U.S. Senate now.’’ At the same rally, state Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons, D-Houston, said she was proud to endorse her colleague, friend and fellow Longhorn.
“Whoever our nominee is going to be, they have to connect with Black voters and making sure that Black voters are seen, they’re being heard, they’re being represented, they’re being at the table,” Evbagharu said.
Texas has the largest Black population of any state and has the largest number of eligible Black voters.
