Texas politics woke up to a political thunderclap this week, the kind that shakes windows from Austin to Acres Homes. In a move that instantly reset the 2026 U.S. Senate landscape, former Congressman Colin Allred stepped aside—opening a wide, history-making runway for Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, the fiery, unapologetic, nationally recognized legal powerhouse who is now officially charting a historic course toward the United States Senate.

The moment was nothing short of electrifying. As statewide candidates filed across Texas, the second Monday of this odd-numbered year delivered a jolt of political adrenaline unlike anything seen since Wendy Davis laced up pink sneakers. Phones buzzed, campaign offices popped into overdrive, and Harris and Fort Bend County organizers felt the tremor of a new era taking shape.

Crockett—a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, a former Texas State Representative, and now a fast-rising national figure in her second term in Congress—declared her intentions with trademark clarity and courage. “I could have played it safe, but I don’t do that. This is Texas. This moment we are in now is life or death. I choose all or nothing. This is now or never,” she said. Her announcement traveled the country within minutes, placing her center stage in a race that could reshape the future of Democratic politics in Texas.

Known for her precision-sharp critiques of President Trump—and equally for her willingness to meet political aggression head-on—Crockett called Allred over the weekend to tell him directly: she was running. And with that, Allred swiftly returned to the House district he once held, opting to reclaim his congressional seat rather than battle Crockett in a primary that was already shifting under his feet. His return sets up a new Dallas-area contest against Julie Johnson, the current officeholder who succeeded him.

Crockett, however, is not without competition. State Representative James Talarico welcomed her to the race rather than clearing the field, signaling a spirited primary ahead of Super Tuesday on March 3. Should Crockett emerge victorious—or carry the momentum into a post-Memorial Day runoff—she would face one of three Republican contenders: long-time incumbent John Cornyn, embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton, or West Houston’s own Congressman Wesley Hunt, an Army Apache combat veteran whose profile is rising on the national stage.

Yet the Senate race is only one piece of the political puzzle reshuffling across Greater Houston. The newly drawn Congressional District 18 now stretches from Meyerland to Missouri City, prompting filings from Christian Menefee, Amanda Edwards, Congressman Al Green, and newcomer Gretchen Brown. Their January 31, 2026 runoff will determine who completes the late Sylvester Turner’s term before the general election resets the board once again.

Meanwhile, former State Representative Jarvis Johnson has stepped forward to challenge Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia in the redrawn District 29—no longer anchored in historic east Houston Latino neighborhoods, but instead absorbing parts of Acres Homes once aligned with the 18th District.

One thing is certain: democracy is alive, loud, and fiercely contested across Harris and Fort Bend counties. The months ahead promise debates, door-knocking, community galvanizing, shifting alliances, and Texas-sized political theater.

And through it all, Houston Style Magazine — Houston’s most read, most trusted weekly publication—will be there every step of the way. So, grab your hat, tighten your bootstraps, and stay tuned, Houston. The 2026 races are just warming up, and history is gearing up for one unforgettable season.