For years now, Democrats have dreamed of flipping Texas blue. Finally, in 2018, their dreams may come true. Many of the most competitive House races in the country are happening in Texas, making the Lone Star State key to winning back the House of Representatives. One of the Democratic Party’s top targets in Texas’ 32nd congressional district, where Democratic nominee Colin Allred is challenging 20-year incumbent Republican Pete Sessions. To flip the district, Allred is relying on his progressive policy agenda and personal appeal as a young person of color running for public office for the first time.

A Dallas native, Allred launched his political campaign after having played professional football for the Tennessee Titans, serving in the Obama administration at HUD, and litigating voting rights cases at the prestigious Perkins Coie law firm. Now, Allred is preparing for the game of his life in a race both parties are deeply invested in.

Incumbent Pete Sessions has represented the 32nd Congressional District since 1996. The district sprawls across the northern part of the state, from suburbs like Garland west toward George W. Bush’s home in Dallas. The race in TX-32 is similar to that of GA-6, where another young political newcomer, Jon Ossoff, came historically close to winning. The voters are mostly white, highly educated, and wealthy, with a median income of over $66,000 a year.

But there are stark differences between the two districts, and they favor Colin Allred.

Texas’ 32nd is not a district where voters that had previously been Democratic are now voting for Trump. This is a district where there are a lot of Republicans who don’t like Trump policies. Take for example immigration. Nearly 60% of Texans dislike the Trump administration’s border wall and immigration policies.

Another reason for Allred to be optimistic is recent voting patterns. In 2012, Mitt Romney won the district by 16 points. In November 2016, Hillary Clinton beat Trump 49–47. It was one of 23 Republican-controlled districts across the country that Clinton won. All of this points to an opportunity for a shifting district to fully swing left, particularly in a wave election year.

But one can’t overlook that Allred became the Democratic nominee by offering something different, while Sessions continues the same failed conservative policies he claims are working. Allred is certain to highlight differences he has on immigration, voting rights, gun control, and public education, but he passionate is particularly about addressing healthcare. And for good reason. In Dallas County, one in five people doesn’t have health insurance. In Texas, one in six people doesn’t have health insurance – the highest rate in the nation.

When you look at the Colin Allred campaign, you will see a coalition of youthful activists, transplants from blue states living in the freeway corridors, and many small business owners. It’s a grassroots approach that has yielded amazing returns, with nearly 99% of Allred’s contributions coming from $100 or less and without any corporate PAC money. The enthusiasm for Allred is real, and it shows.

Colin Allred joined us on the Millennial Politics Podcast to discuss voting rights, immigration, and his background as a civil rights lawyer. Listen on iTunes or in your browser below: