Rep. Marc Veasey, a seven-term Democrat from North Texas, announced Monday that he will not seek reelection to Congress and is instead launching a campaign for Tarrant County judge.
“This decision is about where I can best serve the people of Tarrant County,” Veasey said in a statement. “It’s about strengthening our party, opening the door for new leadership, and ensuring that our community continues to thrive.” Veasey has been active in local Democratic politics for decades, beginning as a district aide to former Rep. Martin Frost. He studied mass communications at Texas Wesleyan University and previously worked on the sports desk at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Veasey’s decision comes in the wake of the Supreme Court allowing Texas to move forward with new congressional maps favoring Republicans, along with Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s announcement that she will run for U.S. Senate. Veasey criticized the redistricting as racially gerrymandered to weaken the influence of Black and Latino voters in North Texas, communities he says he has spent his career advocating for.
Under the new maps, Veasey’s Fort Worth base is no longer in his current 33rd District. Former Rep. Colin Allred has exited the Senate race to run for the reconfigured 33rd District, setting up a likely Democratic primary against Rep. Julie Elizabeth Johnson. Johnson responded to the changes by calling for fair maps and emphasizing her commitment to continue delivering results for North Texas voters.