Texas Rep. Colin Allred (D) bid farewell to Congress this week in a farewell speech that was hopeful about the future. The Texas Democrat challenged Texas Senator Ted Cruz (D) in the 2024 presidential election, but he lost the race by almost 10 points. Rep. Allred remains optimistic about America’s days ahead, calling lawmakers the “guardians of the great American experiment.”
Ahead of the November 5th election, the senate race between Senator Cruz and Rep. Allred was deemed a close one. Polls indicated that Senator Cruz was leading, but it wasn’t by much. On election day however the results showed a different perspective, and Senator Cruz won his reelection bid with 53.1% of the vote.
Given that Rep. Allred did not run for reelection in Congress, he will be succeeded by Texas Rep.-elect Julie Johnson (D), who will become the first openly LGBTQ+ member to serve in Texas in Congress, and a representative who he says will serve the residents of his district with honor.
In his farewell speech, he thanked the people of North Texas, calling it an “honor” to serve them in Congress.
Though this is the end of a chapter for me, I'm reminded that our democracy is great because it doesn’t begin or end with one elected official. It's not about one person. It never has been. We are caretakers. Guardians of the great American experiment.
Watch my farewell speech. pic.twitter.com/lA8lx1Dvtc
— Rep. Colin Allred (@RepColinAllred) December 10, 2024
He recounted that his work in congress led to the creation of “good paying jobs,” he contributed to getting veterans better care, he helped pass the CHIPS Act, and helped lower the cost of healthcare among other efforts.
He affirmed that as a congressman he wanted to focus on helping people through efforts that would strengthen voting rights, ensuring that veterans can access their benefits, and cutting red tape to ensure that the government is helping its people.
“We ran a constituent focused office that was focused on cutting red tape for people and helping them get the services and help they needed from their government,” he shared, adding that he is also proud to be the first member of congress to ever take paternity leave because this will “hopefully set an example for all new dads who will follow me.”
Though Rep. Allred has not commented on what his political future will look like, he did note that he is optimistic about the future despite the perceived division within the country.
As he shared, “though this is the end of a chapter for me, I’m reminded that our democracy is great because it doesn’t begin or end with one elected official. It’s not about one person. It never has been. We are caretakers. Guardians of the great American experiment. Protectors of this democracy.”
