'I know we're better': U.S. Rep. Colin Allred shares thoughts on Texas politics

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
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Set to run against Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Democratic Congressman Colin Allred was in Corpus Christi to speak at the annual Coastal Bend Labor Council's Labor Day breakfast Monday.

Afterwards, Allred met the Caller-Times over coffee to discuss how he got into politics and what he's passionate about with the Lone Star State.

Allred, who was born in Dallas, was raised by his single mother who taught in Dallas public schools. He played football for Baylor University before becoming an NFL linebacker for the Tennessee Titans in 2007.

After attending law school at the University of California, Berkeley, he became a civil rights lawyer and served in the Office of General Counsel for the Department of Housing and Urban Development under former Secretary Julián Castro, another Texas Democrat.

Michele Rodriguez, left, and Miroslava Lanasa, right, talk with Texas Democratic Congressman Colin Allred at Stinger's Coffee in Corpus Christi Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Allred was in Corpus Christi to speak at the Coastal Bend Labor Council's annual Labor Day breakfast Monday, Sept. 4, 2023.
Michele Rodriguez, left, and Miroslava Lanasa, right, talk with Texas Democratic Congressman Colin Allred at Stinger's Coffee in Corpus Christi Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Allred was in Corpus Christi to speak at the Coastal Bend Labor Council's annual Labor Day breakfast Monday, Sept. 4, 2023.

Allred, a fourth generation Texan, said he sees Texas politics as a public service, not just activities of government.

"The politics is the method of course of how we choose our public servants, but the point of it is to get into office and actually serve people," Allred said.

Allred was elected to the U.S. House during Donald Trump’s presidency, defeating Republican Rep. Pete Sessions.

On Wednesday, May 3, Allred announced he would challenge Cruz for his title in a three-minute video posted on social media. The video recognized Allred’s life story while taking multiple shots at Cruz, including his role in events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and his trip to Cancun during the 2021 winter freeze.

Allred said his biggest concern, for Texans, is that the promise of the state is currently "being undermined by the radicalism of our politics."

U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, speaks during the Texas Democratic Party Convention.
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, speaks during the Texas Democratic Party Convention.

"We're in a state where women have had their rights taken away for bodily autonomy," Allred said. "We're in a state that has been targeting LGBTQ folks in our state. As someone who has been considered pro-business, this is bad for business in our state."

Allred brought up how Texas dropped out of CNBC's America's Top States for Business list in July. He said the fallout was due to the atmosphere Texas politics has created.

"That's not who we are as Texans," Allred said. "To me, the pathway forward for us has to be one that embraces our diversity and embraces the dynamic, growing state that we are. And has leadership that reflects that."

The congressman said he knows Texans are "better than what Ted Cruz makes us out to be." He mentioned Cruz voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, against the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022 and against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022.

Visitors pay their respects at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on June 2, 2022. 21 people, including 19 children, were killed by a gunman at the school on May 24, 2022.
Visitors pay their respects at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on June 2, 2022. 21 people, including 19 children, were killed by a gunman at the school on May 24, 2022.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act gave about $30 billion across the state to repair bridges, build roads and increase broadband internet access. The CHIPS and Science Act created federal grants to promote domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, led by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, expanded vital mental health services and provided additional support for states and districts to design and enhance initiatives that will promote safer, more inclusive and positive school environments for all students, educators and school staff. The bill was created and passed just weeks after the mass shooting in Uvalde.

"I know who we are as Texans," Allred said. "I know we're better than what Ted Cruz makes us out to be ... The biggest thing is we need someone to help unite us as Texans and help bring the country together."

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Coffee with Colin Allred: U.S. Rep. shares thoughts on Texas politics