East Texas native Dax Alexander, a Democrat, plans to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas’ 1st Congressional District. He will challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran.

Alexander, who made the announcement Tuesday evening, said he will run a grassroots campaign focused on “real representation and community-first values.”

“Our district has been misrepresented for far too long, our voices ignored, our schools underfunded, our rights rolled back. And once again, we’re being told to settle for less,” Alexander said.

Alexander said his campaign is powered by local volunteers and small-dollar donations.

Alexander said he brings a “fresh voice and bold vision” to the race. He aims to “reclaim the Democratic Party as the party of the working class,” according to his website.

His platform centers around issues he said affect families across the district. Some of his areas of focus include:

• Public education. Alexander said he opposes school voucher programs; supports increased funding for rural, special education, and low-income school districts.

• Immigration. He supports “modernized border security alongside humane, bipartisan immigration reforms,” according to his website.

• Health care. Alexander advocates for Medicaid expansion, lower prescription drug costs, and improved access to rural care and telehealth services.

• Gun safety. Alexander said he supports universal background checks and red flag laws.

• Climate and environment. Alexander favors stronger environmental protections and clean air and water for Texas communities.

• Reproductive rights. Alexander believes women should make their own health care decisions.

• Working families. Alexander said he supports universal pre-K, paid family leave, and affordable child care.

• Government accountability. As part of his campaign, Alexander said he rejects corporate PAC money and “pledges to prioritize people over special interests and party elites.”

The Smith County Young Democrats have endorsed Alexander, calling him “a bold new leader who actually reflects the values and hopes of East Texans.”

“I’m stepping up to fight for the future East Texas deserves, because I believe this community is worth the work,” Alexander said in an address to the Smith County Democratic Executive Committee on Tuesday. “Real change doesn’t come like a tidal wave. It comes like water carving stone: slow, steady, and determined. That’s the kind of campaign I’m running, and the kind of leader I plan to be.”

For more information or to get involved, visit www.daxforcongress.com or follow the campaign on social media.

The First District of Texas comprises roughly 776,000 East Texans across 17 counties, including Smith County. The district stretches from Texarkana south to San Augustine and encompasses almost all areas between the Texas-Louisiana border and the Western edge of Smith County. Its largest cities include Tyler, Longview, Texarkana, Marshall and Mt. Pleasant.

Moran was chosen by voters in November 2022 and is currently serving in his second term. Before being elected to Congress, Moran served as the Smith County Judge, a Tyler City Council member and as Mayor Pro Tem of Tyler.

Ryan Nichols, a Longview man convicted for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, is also in the race for Moran’s seat. Nichols, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump, is a former Marine and was sentenced to more than five years in prison for his actions on Jan. 6. He said in April that he regrets his role in the violence at the Capitol and previously apologized to members of Congress and Capitol police officers. Nichols said he’s more than the man in the headlines stemming from Jan. 6. He said he’s a man who loves his family, served his country and a normal human being who makes mistakes.

Nichols said he is a strong supporter of agriculture and wants to secure the southern border, ensure that veterans receive proper healthcare and improve healthcare in rural areas. He also said he stands with the oil and gas industry and supports manufacturing.

The general election is in November 2026.