Just one week after launching a bid for Tarrant County Judge, U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, has announced he is suspending his campaign. The longtime congressman entered the race shortly before the Dec. 8 filing deadline, positioning himself to challenge Republican incumbent Tim O’Hare. His decision followed recent redistricting changes by Republican lawmakers in Austin shifted his current district, Texas’ 33rd, away from Fort Worth and Tarrant County to focus more heavily on Dallas. Gerrymandering set off a series of “musical chairs” that left North Texas Democrats scrambling to make last-minute decisions, especially after Rep. Jasmine Crockett entered the U.S. Senate race. Crockett’s announcement and the announcement of Friendship-West Baptist Church Pastor Frederick Haynes III that he was running for her old seat took many by surprise. In a statement released Monday, Veasey called the decision to withdraw “not an easy one,” but said remaining in Congress is where he believes he is most needed. “I do not doubt that I could wage a strong campaign here,” Veasey said. “But knowing you can win an election does not mean you should wage a campaign.” He added, “Right now, my responsibility is to stay in Congress and continue the fight where the stakes are highest—holding Donald Trump accountable.” Veasey confirmed he will serve out the remainder of his term in Congress. The Democratic primary for the Tarrant County Judge is in early March. It would require Veasey to spend significantly more time in North Texas rather than focusing on his work in Washington. Instead Veasey wrote he feels he could do the “most good” in Washington in 2026. When is the Texas primary? The Texas primary is Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The first date to request a ballot by mail is Jan. 1, 2026, and the last day to register to vote in the primary is Feb. 2, 2026. Early voting begins Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. The candidates who win the primary will either advance to a runoff on May 26, 2026, or, if they obtain more than 50% of the vote, they’ll get the party nomination and advance to the midterm election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. ...read more read less