Union-First Candidate Colin Allred Advances to General Election for TX-33
DALLAS – Today, the Texas AFL-CIO released the following statement on Colin Allred advancing to the general election in the race for Texas Congressional District 33.
“We need fighters in DC who will take on the billionaires, corporations, and special interests — that’s why we’re proud to congratulate Colin Allred on his primary runoff win,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar. “Colin is ready to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with workers to win better wages, fully-fund our public schools, and lower health care costs.”
Allred was raised in Dallas by a single mom who taught school and worked nights to make ends meet. From his career as an NFL linebacker — where he became a member of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) — to civil rights attorney, to congressman, he’s fought side-by-side with working people to deliver for the community.
There’s a shift happening in Texas politics. Workers aren’t waiting for change, they’re running for it:
First: In June 2025, Texas union delegates passed a resolution calling for the Texas AFL-CIO to recruit, equip, and empower Texas union members to run for office.
Then: In Oct. 2025, the organization held its first ever Texas Labor Candidate School and graduated its first class of 16 members, including Montserrat Garibay.
Next: In Jan. 2026, State Senator Taylor Rehmet, a veteran and the president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Texas State Council, kicked off this wave of union candidate wins, becoming the first rank-and-file member to ever serve in the Texas Senate. Rehmet is a graduate of the Texas AFL-CIO’s Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy.
Now: This November, 12 union-first labor endorsed candidates will be on the ballot — more than ever before.
The 12 union-first labor endorsed candidates heading to the General Election currently include:
Texas Supreme Court, Place 1: Maggie Ellis, Member of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 1624 and Texas State Employees Union (TSEU), Communications Workers of America (CWA) 6186
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9: Holly Taylor, Member of AFSCME Texas Retiree Chapter 12
U.S. House, District 19 (Lubbock): Kyle Rable, Member of TSEU (CWA 6186)
U.S. House, District 27 (Victoria/Austin): Tanya Lloyd, Member of Texas AFT
U.S. House, District 33 (Dallas): Colin Allred, Member of National Football League Players Association
Texas Senate, District 9 (Fort Worth): Taylor Rehmet (incumbent), President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Texas State Council
Texas House, District 28 (Richmond): Sandy Ibáñez, Member of Fort Bend AFT (AFT 6198)
Texas House, District 47 (Austin): Pooja Sethi, Member of TSEU (CWA 6186)
Texas House, District 49 (Austin): Montserrat Garibay, Former Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer; Member of Education Austin (AFT 2048)
Texas House, District 70 (Dallas): Mihaela Plesa (incumbent), Member of TSEU (CWA 6186)
Texas House, District 125 (San Antonio): Adrian Reyna, Member of San Antonio Alliance (AFT 67)
Texas House, District 146 (Houston): Lauren Ashley Simmons (incumbent), Member of TSEU (CWA 6186) & CWA 1180
Other statewide Texas AFL-CIO endorsements for the General Election include Gina Hinojosa for Governor, Nathan Johnson for Attorney General, and Sarah Eckhardt for Comptroller of Public Accounts, all members of TSEU (CWA 6186).Additional endorsements will be made in the coming weeks. See our 2026 General Election endorsements here.
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The Texas AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is the state labor federation consisting of more than 250,000 affiliated union members and advocates for working people in Texas. Learn more at texasaflcio.org