Texas Democrat Taylor Rehmet Wins special election in red district

Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a seat in the Texas State Senate Saturday

Taylor Rehmet, a union leader and United States Air Force veteran, upset Republican candidate Leigh Wambsganss in a special election for the Fort Worth-area district seat in the Texas Senate.

District 9, which President Donald Trump won by 17 points in the 2024 presidential election, is a major portion of Tarrant County, which represents one of the largest Republican counties in the United States. The seat has been vacant since Republican Kelly Handcock’s resignation in June 2025, according to the Texas Senate. Rehmet will serve the remaining 11 months left on Handcock’s term.

Rehmet, who served 4 years as a machinist in the Air Force, was heavily outmatched by the Republican candidate Wambsganss when it came to both campaign fundraising and spending. In addition, Wambsganss received late support from President Trump and Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick in the days leading up to the 57% win for Rehmet.

The successful campaign serves as an inspiring victory for democrats. Rehmet said in a statement; “This win shows what is possible in Texas with strong organizing, great candidates and strategic investments,”

The win follows a trend of democrats outperforming republicans in special elections since March of 2025, with lieutenant governor Dan Patrick calling it a “wake-up call” for republicans according to the Associated Press.