Who's In the Race

Texas's 33rd Congressional District features Democrat Colin Allred and Republican Patrick Gillespie in the Nov. 3 general election. The seat is open after Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) announced his retirement in December 2025. ​

Allred served in the U.S. House representing Texas's 32nd District from 2019 through 2024, and before that worked as a civil rights lawyer and played professional football as an NFL linebacker. In the Democratic primary, he took about 44% of the vote over Julie Johnson, then won the runoff with about 55%. Gillespie's career has included work as a technical writer and at Boeing, BAE Systems, American Airlines and Flextronics. He won the Republican primary with about 35% of the vote over Monte Mitchell.

What They Stand For

Allred's campaign says his affordability agenda calls for tackling price increases and lowering household costs, and that his previous congressional work brought federal funding for public transportation, health care, affordable housing and law enforcement in the district.

Per his campaign wesbite, Gillespie pledged his support for "the strict adherence to the original language and intent of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution for the United States and Texas." He also has taken a pro-life position, stating that he will protect the "sanctity of human life" from "fertilization to natural death."

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Allred raised about $7.4 million through June 30 and had about $160,000 in cash on hand. Gillespie reported no receipts and no cash on hand in FEC filings.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Democratic as of Oct. 9, Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 11, and Inside Elections rated it Solid Democratic as of Oct. 2. Kalshi traders gave Democrats a 97.06% chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

The district has leaned heavily Democratic in recent cycles: Marc Veasey won it with about 72% in 2022 and about 69% in 2024. Statewide, Republicans won 25 of Texas's 38 U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024, with Democrats winning the remaining 13. Donald Trump carried Texas in the 2024 presidential election with about 56% of the vote.

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