Allred’s camp brushed off the criticism.

“Representative Allred is focused on working with Republicans and Democrats to get things done for North Texans, like lowering the costs of health care and prescription drugs, repairing our infrastructure, and cleaning up corruption,” said Paige Hutchinson, his chief of staff.

Allred won the seat last year by beating longtime incumbent Pete Sessions, who has said he’ll decide in September whether he wants a rematch. Some of Sessions’ allies have said they want to see a different Republican in the race.

“As Dallas County Republicans panic over the possibility of Pete Sessions attempting a doomed political ‘comeback,’ Colin Allred is getting results for North Texas by working across the aisle and listening to Texas families about the issues that matter to them,” said Avery Jaffe, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The district has been trending Democratic for several election cycles, and Allred made Sessions’ opposition to the Affordable Care Act a major issue of the campaign.

Democrats also benefited from a strong coordinated campaign in Dallas County, as well as voters pushing back against the 2016 election of President Donald Trump.

Trump, who is unpopular with most Dallas County voters, is running for reelection next year and could provide coattails or be an albatross for down-ballot candidates.

McLendon praised the president and said he would be an asset to his candidacy because of the bustling economy, low unemployment rate, the appointment of conservative judges and border security.

“The president of the United States will have a positive impact on my race,” he said. “He kept his promises.”

Aside from Sessions, other potential Republican candidates for the seat include former Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne, business woman Genevieve Collins, former state Sen. Don Huffines, former state Rep. Dan Branch and state Rep. Morgan Meyer.