Julie Johnson

Julie Johnson
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	Representing Texas's 33rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives

Julie Johnson is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 33rd congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, Johnson previously served in the Texas House of Representatives before winning election to the U.S. Congress. Her congressional tenure has been marked by involvement in issues ranging from immigration policy to technology contracting, and she has attracted national attention for her 2026 Democratic primary campaign against former U.S. Representative Colin Allred in a newly redrawn Dallas-area congressional district. Johnson's career in public service has spanned both state and federal levels, positioning her as a prominent figure in North Texas Democratic politics. Her time in Congress has also drawn scrutiny over financial disclosures related to stock trading in companies involved in federal immigration enforcement, a topic that has become a significant point of debate in her primary race.

Career

Texas State Legislature

Prior to her service in the U.S. Congress, Julie Johnson served in the Texas House of Representatives, where she established herself as a figure within the Democratic caucus in the state legislature. Her tenure in Austin provided her with legislative experience and a political base in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area that would later support her bid for federal office.

U.S. House of Representatives

Johnson serves as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 33rd congressional district. The district, centered in the Dallas area, is one of two Democratic-majority congressional districts in North Texas following the most recent round of redistricting. The redrawing of district lines significantly altered the political landscape in the region; notably, the 32nd Congressional District was redrawn to have a Republican majority, which consolidated much of the area's Democratic electorate into the 33rd district.

Stock Trading Controversy

In January 2026, reporting by The Texas Tribune revealed that Johnson had bought and sold stocks from Palantir Technologies, a data analytics company that serves as a contractor with the federal government, including providing services to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The stock trades were notable because Johnson had publicly made comments critical of ICE and its deportation efforts. According to The Texas Tribune, Johnson purchased and sold Palantir stock as recently as 2025, despite the company's prominent role in assisting the administration of President Donald Trump with immigration enforcement operations.

The revelation added a layer of complexity to Johnson's political profile, particularly as immigration and ethics in congressional stock trading became prominent topics in her 2026 primary campaign. The issue was raised by her primary opponent, Colin Allred, and became a recurring point of contention in candidate forums and media coverage of the race.

2026 Democratic Primary

The 2026 Democratic primary for Texas's 33rd congressional district emerged as one of the most closely watched congressional races in the state. The contest pitted Johnson, the incumbent representative, against Colin Allred, a former U.S. Representative who had previously represented a neighboring district before redistricting altered the congressional map. In total, four Democrats entered the primary race for the newly drawn district.

The primary was shaped in part by the redistricting process that had redrawn congressional boundaries in the Dallas area. As reported by KERA News, the redrawing of lines and a halted Texas Senate bid contributed to the competitive nature of the Democratic primary. The race offered Dallas-area Democrats a choice between two well-known political figures, each with distinct records and bases of support.

During the campaign, Johnson and Allred clashed repeatedly over issues of ethics and immigration. At a meeting of The Dallas Morning News editorial board in late January 2026, the two candidates engaged in a public exchange over immigration-related policy positions and financial disclosures. Johnson faced questions about her Palantir stock trades, while the candidates also debated their respective approaches to immigration enforcement and border security.

Endorsements

Johnson actively sought and promoted endorsements from a range of organizations and political figures during the 2026 primary campaign. In a campaign appearance covered by CBS News, Johnson highlighted endorsements she had received as evidence of broad support for her candidacy.

Among the most prominent endorsements Johnson received was that of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which announced its support for Johnson in her bid for Texas's 33rd congressional district. The Chamber's endorsement, announced in February 2026, underscored the organization's assessment that Johnson aligned with its priorities on business and economic policy.

The endorsement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was particularly notable in the context of a Democratic primary, as the Chamber has historically been associated with Republican candidates and business-oriented policy positions. Johnson's ability to secure the endorsement suggested a centrist or business-friendly dimension to her policy platform that distinguished her within the Democratic field.

Early voting for the primary began in mid-February 2026, with the race drawing significant media attention both locally and nationally.

Political Positions

Immigration

Immigration emerged as a defining issue in Johnson's political career, particularly during the 2026 primary campaign. Johnson had publicly made comments critical of ICE and the federal government's deportation enforcement efforts under the Trump administration. However, her financial disclosures revealed stock transactions involving Palantir Technologies, a company that provides data analytics and technology services to ICE in support of immigration enforcement operations, creating what critics characterized as a contradiction between her public statements and her personal financial activities.

During a January 2026 candidate forum hosted by The Dallas Morning News, Johnson and Allred debated their respective positions on immigration, with the issue becoming one of the most contentious topics of the primary race.

Business and Economic Policy

Johnson's endorsement by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicated alignment with certain business-oriented policy positions. The Chamber cited Johnson's record in announcing its support for her candidacy in the 33rd district.