U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey will not run for Tarrant County judge in 2026.
Veasey, D-Fort Worth, will instead serve out the remainder of his congressional term, which ends in January 2027.
“After careful and deliberate consideration, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for Tarrant County Judge,” Veasey wrote in a statement.“
Veasey said the decision to withdraw from the race was tough. He said he decided over the weekend that his best move was to stay in Congress and “hold Donald Trump accountable.” He was faced with a contested primary against Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons, his ally, and businessman Millennium Woods Jr.
“I have been I’ve been fortunate enough to be around dozens, hundreds of fine elected officials,” said Democratic strategist Matt Angle, who has worked with Veasey for decades. “None of them are finer than Marc Veasey. Marc is just a good person.”
Democrats — particularly in Tarrant County — had hoped Veasey would help them flip what’s described as the nation’s largest red county by beating Republican incumbent Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare.
But after a weekend of mulling over the potential campaign, Veasey decided a county judge campaign wasn’t in his best interest.
“I will remain laser-focused on serving the people of North Texas and using every remaining day of my term to meet this moment,” Veasey wrote.
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Veasey predicted he would have defeated O’Hare.
“I do not doubt that I could wage a strong campaign here. But, knowing you can win an election does not mean you should run a campaign,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, speaks with media outside of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing Facility on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Dallas.
Christine Vo / Staff Photographer
Veasey made the decision to run for Tarrant County judge last week, after opting not to run in the District 30 congressional race that features Dallas megachurch pastor Frederick Haynes III.
The Fort Worth Democrat has represented District 33 since 2013. The Republican-controlled Legislature redrew that district this summer. It was moved entirely outside of Tarrant County, which is Veasey’s political base.
Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas and U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson of Farmers Branch are vying in the Democratic primary to replace Veasey in District 33, which is now anchored in Dallas County.
“Marc Veasey has been a tireless champion for North Texas families and a respected leader who has always put service above self,” Allred said of Veasey. “His decision reflects the same thoughtfulness and deep commitment to our community that have marked every step of his public service.”
Veasey served in the Texas House from 2005 through 2012. He was the first and only representative in District 33, which the Legislature developed after the 2010 U.S. census.
A former journalist, Veasey was part of former U.S. Rep. Martin Frost’s political organization. He worked in constituent services and was part of the Democratic congressman’s voter turnout operation.
