Congressman John Lewis was my hero and mentor. John (or Mr. Lewis, as I always called him) poured his blood, sweat, and tears – literally – into securing the right to vote for every American. He was beaten for believing that this sacred right belonged to everybody, no matter the color of your skin. And he nearly died for speaking truth to power. His legacy is one of one, and the America we live in today is the direct result of his fight for freedom.
I love this photo of John Lewis and President Obama memorializing the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. I miss John Lewis deeply, and I know I’m not alone in this. He inspired millions of people with his courage and commitment in the face of injustice, and for those who were lucky enough to call him a friend, he provided so much comfort, wisdom, and guidance. Unfortunately, many of the rights and ideals that John fought for 60 years ago are under attack today – especially in Texas. From racist voter ID laws to gerrymandering schemes, the GOP is waging an antidemocratic battle to silence voters they simply don’t want to hear from – particularly Black and Brown folks. But, as important as those fights are, I don’t want them to be the focus of this post. Because here’s the thing about the John Lewis I knew: He was a man who held optimism and hope, even in our country’s darkest moments. And that’s what I want to talk about. John Lewis was one of my biggest inspirations to become a civil rights lawyer. At the time, Republicans in Texas were pushing a lot of laws to make it more difficult to vote. Shamelessly, cynically. They were working to tear down everything that leaders like John Lewis had fought for. So as I narrowed in on my law school specialization, I reflected on his legacy and tried to find where I could have the biggest impact in my state. The answer, of course, was voting rights. There’s a line in a Supreme Court case – which I’ve mentioned in another Substack post – that basically says: The right to vote is preservative of all other rights. If you can vote, you can protect yourself and your fundamental rights. You can form coalitions. You can elect candidates of your choosing. I believed then, as I do now, that the sanctity of all of the civil rights I care about – ultimately comes down to being able to cast a ballot and participate in our democracy. After admiring John Lewis for years and doing what I could to follow in his footsteps, I finally had the chance to meet him in 2018. He joined me on the campaign trail in Dallas, and it was an unforgettable experience.
He fired up our staff and volunteers, recorded messages to supporters, and reminded us that every generation has a duty to protect our democracy – to carry the torch forward. One of my favorite memories is when he told a group of elementary school kids about how he had wanted to be a preacher growing up, so he practiced his craft by preaching to his chickens. I can picture it now: a young John Lewis with his literal flock. The kids listened intently but had no idea who he was. Meanwhile, I was in the corner watching, starstruck. John and I rode in the car together between campaign events, swapping stories and getting to know each other. I was a bit taken aback: Even after everything he’d been through – even after the world had given him more than enough reasons to become angry or cynical – he was the kindest man I’d ever met. The closest thing to a saint. A true force for good. I asked him how he had overcome some of the toughest moments of his life, namely when Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy had been assassinated, both in 1968. He said he cried and was upset for a long time – but that the work was just too important, the country was just too important, to lie down and stop fighting. So, what did he do? He kept going. I still marvel at the fact that I got to work with Mr. Lewis directly when I made it to Congress. In our Black caucus meetings, he was the one we would look to for advice, strategy, and problem-solving. The last year has been one of the most difficult in our nation’s history. And so I’ve found myself reflecting on his life and legacy a lot – his moral leadership, his boundless hope, and his belief that we could bring about a better, more equitable future for all. What would John Lewis think of America today? What would John Lewis do? I know the answer: He would keep going. And so must we. I won’t stop fighting until every American’s fundamental right to vote is secured and protected, and I’m grateful to have folks like you with me every step of the way. Thank you for reading and for being a part of helping to carry on John Lewis’ legacy today. – Colin Paid for by Allred for Texas
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Saturday, October 11, 2025
John Lewis and the Fight for Our Democracy
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