Democrat Taylor Rehmet achieved a significant upset in Texas on Saturday, winning 57% of the vote in a special election for Texas Senate District 9. This victory marks a pivotal shift in a district long considered a Republican stronghold, located in the Fort Worth area. Rehmet, who is a union leader and an Air Force veteran, faced off against Republican candidate Leigh Wambsganss.
The election drew considerable attention, particularly due to a late campaign push by former President Donald Trump, who made three posts advocating for Wambsganss on social media in the days leading up to the vote. Despite this support, Wambsganss was unable to overcome a substantial disadvantage in voter sentiment. She also had a significant funding advantage, bolstered by contributions from Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick during the final days of her campaign.
The seat had remained vacant since the summer of 2025, following the resignation of Republican Kelly Hancock, who stepped down to assume the role of Texas’s acting comptroller. With this win, Rehmet will serve the remaining 11 months of Hancock’s term.
Implications of Rehmet’s Victory
The district, which Trump won by a margin of 17 points in the 2024 presidential election, is part of Tarrant County, one of the largest Republican counties in the United States. Rehmet’s victory is seen as a signal of changing dynamics in local politics, particularly as he narrowly lost by just three percentage points in the November election that led to Saturday’s runoff.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin characterized the win as a “warning sign to Republicans across the country,” stating, “It’s clear as day that this disastrous Republican agenda is hurting working families in Texas and across the country, which is why voters in red, blue, and purple districts are putting their faith in candidates like Taylor Rehmet.”
Both Rehmet and Wambsganss are expected to run unopposed in their respective party primaries for the same seat in March 2026, indicating a strong likelihood of continued competition in the upcoming election cycle.
Rehmet’s victory not only highlights the shifting political landscape in Texas but also serves as a reminder of the potential for Democratic candidates to make inroads in traditionally Republican areas. As political analysts closely watch this district, the implications of Rehmet’s win could resonate beyond Texas, influencing strategies and voter engagement efforts in future elections across the nation.
