US Rep. Collin Allred Emphasizes Bipartisanship at Garland Town Hall

After seven months in the job, Democratic Congressman Collin Allred is emphasizing his record of bipartisanship and moderate policies while avoiding strong positions on the politically fraught issues of the day.Allred, a Democrat representing the once longtime-Republican 32nd congressional district, spent Monday talking about healthcare, infrastructure and veterans affairs. In a meeting with The Dallas Morning News editorial board, Allred said he has kept his focus on the "deep well of common things that unite us." Later during a public town hall at Garland Senior Activity Center, Allred relayed that message to his constituents. "I am much more interested in what is good for you than for what's good for my political career or the Democratic Party," Allred said at the town hall.Faced with questions on issues such as immigration and Russian interference in U.S. elections, Allred, who ousted Republican Rep. Pete Sessions in 2018, called for those problems to be solved by avoiding divisiveness. Allred called on Congress to work together to pass comprehensive immigration reform and said politicians need to take the issue of Russian interference more seriously and pass a bipartisan election security bill."Democrats can't lose sight of how they got those votes and how I got those votes," Allred said, referring to Democrats taking majority control of the House of Representatives in 2018. "It's not by running to the left. It's not by just by appealing to our base opinions. It's been by putting forward common sense things."Allred was also quick to underscore his focus on bread-and-butter issues over more partisan topics, such as impeachment, which he does not support."I've got priorities that we're working on," Allred said. "I'm working on our infrastructure, I'm working on our veterans affairs ... and that's my priority right now, that's what I want to stay focused on."Antone Hipp, a 37-year resident of Allred's district who attended the town hall, said Allred's approach was perfect for him."I'm at the age of 70 years old, and only two things matter to me: Medicare and social security," Hipp said. "The other thing is just leave me alone."  Continue reading...