Incumbent Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (D), Pervez Agwan (D), and Noor Mobeen (D) are running in the Democratic Party primary election for Texas’ 7th Congressional District on March 5, 2024. Fletcher and Agwan lead in endorsements and campaign finance.
Local political analysts say redistricting is a central dynamic in the race. Rice University professor Mark Jones said, “Under the previous configuration of the district, [Fletcher] had a very solid message to the primary electorate, that, ‘I’m a Democrat, and I’m your best chance to maintain District 7 in Democratic hands,’…Now that’s gone, because whatever Democrat wins is going to win District 7.” Agwan’s campaign says the redrawn 7th District is “Texas’ most diverse congressional district, which is also now its most unequal,” and that Fletcher is out of touch with district voters. Fletcher’s campaign says she is “committed to working to ensure that this community’s core values—inclusion, innovation, and collaboration—result in progress, equality, and opportunity for all Americans.”
Fletcher is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, an organization describing itself as a center-left group of “pragmatic House Democrats who work across the aisle and across the Capitol to advance innovative, inclusive, and forward-looking policies.” The group’s PAC is supporting Fletcher.
Agwan, a self-described progressive, says he is running to create “a movement to return power back to our people, and to working families.” Agwan says he supports ending U.S. aid for Israel and says Fletcher’s support for Israel is out of step with the district’s voters: “Most people want the United States not to be sending aid to countries that violate human rights.”
As of December 18, 2023, Fletcher had raised $830,000 to Agwan’s $550,000.
If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote in the primary, the top two finishers will advance to a May 28 primary runoff.
As of December 19, 2023, The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball all rated the general election Solid/Safe Democratic. In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden (D) defeated Donald Trump (R) in the district 64.2% to 34.5%.
