The South Just Lost Its Only LGBTQ+ Member of Congress
Julie Johnson of Texas was the first LGBTQ+ member of Congress to represent a southern state.
Featured image: Julie Johnson; Photo Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Democrat U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, the first and only LGBTQ+ member of Congress from a southern state, lost her Dallas-area congressional primary runoff on Tuesday.
Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred beat Johnson 53.9% to 46.1%, according to the Associated Press. Johnson had succeeded Allred in 2025 after Allred’s failed attempt to run against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz for the Senate.
Both Johnson and Allred were running in a newly drawn district after the state’s GOP redrew Texas’ congressional map to try to win more Republican seats. The newly created seat is made up of left-leaning areas, however.
Johnson is one of the currently 13 out LGBTQ+ members of Congress — 12 out representatives and one out senator.
“You know, it’s humbling, and it’s empowering, and it’s inspiring all at the same time,” Johnson tol…