Colin Allred

As early voting begins, Dallas Democrats will have the chance to choose between two familiar faces to represent them in Texas' Congressional District 33 — U.S. House Rep. Julie Johnson and former Rep. Colin Allred.

Former Congressman Colin Allred had dropped out of the U.S. Senate race hours before Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett entered, becoming state Rep. James Talarico's opponent. The Texas Democratic Party leader said he wants candidates to get along.

Allred also urged Democrats to vote for Talarico’s opponent, Jasmine Crockett. The former Dallas congressman was Talarico’s main rival in the Senate primary before dropping out the day Crockett entered the race.

The primary between predecessor and successor arose from a combination of redistricting and the entry of Rep. Jasmine Crockett into the U.S. Senate race, which prompted Allred to drop out.

The former Dallas congressman said he wanted to help his party avoid a runoff. In his campaign to return to the House, he will face U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, his successor in Congress.

The Dallas congresswoman said she discussed polling with Colin Allred and James Talarico.

U.S. Senate candidate Colin Allred will make a stop in Denton on his Unrig Texas town hall tour on Tuesday.

Allred is the first major Democrat to announce his candidacy for the seat currently held by Cornyn, but several others have indicated their interest, including Beto O’Rourke, a former El Paso congressman and statewide campaign veteran; U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a longtime San Antonio legislator; and state Rep. James Talarico, a four-term lawmaker from Austin who is seen as a rising star in the party.

Julie Johnson’s win came as Sarah McBride of Delaware was elected the first openly transgender congressperson.

Cruz is currently polling at 55.6% to Allred’s 42.3%, following one of the most-expensive congressional contests in Texas history.

Both candidates are making their closing arguments at the culmination of a heated and expensive race which could decide control of the U.S. Senate.

It’s a race to the finish line as U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the incumbent Republican, and his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, make their final cases to voters.