Shock Win: Taylor Rehmet Flips Deep-Red Texas Senate Seat in Special Election Upset
Democrat flips Texas Senate seat in Tarrant County - Axios Dallas
In a result that surprised political observers across Texas, Democratic machinist union leader Taylor Rehmet won Saturday’s special runoff election for Texas Senate District 9 — a reliably Republican seat that President Donald Trump carried by 17 points in 2024.
With nearly all voting centers reporting, Rehmet secured 57% of the vote, defeating conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss, who received 43% despite outspending him by a wide margin. The result has sent ripples through GOP circles from the Texas Capitol to Washington ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The seat was vacated by Republican Kelly Hancock, who stepped down to become Texas’ acting comptroller. Rehmet, a first-time candidate, will serve the remaining 11 months of the term before facing Wambsganss again in November for a full four-year term.
Heavy Spending, High Stakes
Wambsganss entered the race with significant financial backing. She reported roughly $736,000 in expenditures, compared to Rehmet’s approximately $70,000. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick personally pushed for turnout and directed $300,000 to her campaign through his PAC. Trump also issued multiple get-out-the-vote messages in the final days.
Outside groups weighed in as well. Progressive veterans group VoteVets spent nearly $500,000 supporting Rehmet, while conservative PACs and major GOP donors lined up behind Wambsganss.
A Warning Sign for Republicans?
Democratic leaders quickly framed the outcome as a signal of broader voter frustration. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin called the result a “warning sign” for Republicans nationwide, arguing that voters are rejecting policies they see as harmful to working families.
Speaking at his election-night event, Rehmet told supporters, “Tonight, this win goes to everyday working people,” as chants filled the room.
Local Political Context
Wambsganss rose to prominence for her role in helping conservative candidates win school board seats across North Texas in recent years, fueling debates over curriculum changes, book bans, and the role of religion in public education. Her campaign emphasized traditional conservative values and law-and-order messaging.
She acknowledged the setback but expressed confidence about a November rematch, saying special elections have unique dynamics and predicting Republican voters would turn out differently in a general election.
November Rematch Already Looming
Both candidates will face each other again in November, with no primary challengers. The race is expected to attract even more outside spending as national groups test whether Rehmet’s win reflects a broader shift or a one-off result influenced by special-election turnout.
For Democrats, the upset fuels hopes of competing in more red-leaning districts across Texas, even though no Democrat has won a statewide race there since 1994. For Republicans, the result underscores concerns about voter enthusiasm and turnout in districts once considered safely red.
As one local party official put it ahead of the vote, even a close result would have been troubling for the GOP. Instead, the upset has set the stage for one of the most closely watched Texas Senate races heading into November.
