In Gerrymandered Race, History-Making U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson Advances to Runoff in TX-33 

WASHINGTON — Today, the Human Rights Campaign-endorsed U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson of Texas advanced to a runoff in her bid to retain her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives despite an anti-democratic attempt by the anti-equality majority in the Texas Legislature to redraw congressional maps and place her in a new district. 

Johnson, the first out LGBTQ+ person to be elected to Congress from the South, is running on a platform of service to all Texans and has been a staunch defender of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Extreme politicians in Austin tried to redraw the map to push Julie Johnson out of Congress,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “But Julie has never backed down from a fight, and neither have the voters who support her. HRC has already mobilized Equality Voters across TX-33 and we’re ready to continue that work through the runoff to ensure Julie Johnson can keep delivering for her constituents and standing up for equality in Washington.”

In support of Congresswoman Johnson’s candidacy, HRC mobilized Equality Voters (those who prioritize equality when deciding who to vote for) in TX-33. That program hosted 16 events, engaged over 300 volunteers, made 1,500 calls, and contacted over 47,000 voters in the lead up to election night. Ahead of the runoff, HRC will continue to activate Equality Voters in support of Johnson and work to send this pro-equality champion back to Washington.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.

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