Democrat Taylor Rehmet Flips Historically Republican Texas State Senate Seat in Special Election

Democrat Secures Upset Victory in Texas Senate District 9

Democrat Taylor Rehmet has won a special election for Texas State Senate District 9, marking a significant political upset in a district historically considered a Republican stronghold. Rehmet, a labor union leader and United States Air Force veteran, defeated Republican opponent Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist, in the Fort Worth-area district. The election, held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, saw Rehmet secure approximately 57% of the vote, with 54,267 votes, against Wambsganss's 43%, or 40,598 votes.

District's Republican History and Election Context

Texas State Senate District 9, encompassing a large portion of Tarrant County, has been reliably Republican for decades, with the GOP holding the seat since 1991. Notably, former President Donald Trump carried the district by 17 points in the 2024 election. The special election was triggered by the resignation of four-term Republican incumbent Kelly Hancock, who vacated the seat to assume a statewide office as acting comptroller.

The campaign was closely watched, with significant financial investment from Republicans. Reports indicate that Wambsganss outspent Rehmet by approximately $2 million. Despite this, Rehmet's victory has been widely characterized as a 'stunning upset' and a 'warning sign' for Republicans nationally.

Reactions and Implications

Following his win, Taylor Rehmet addressed supporters, stating, 'This win goes to everyday working people.' He further emphasized his campaign's focus, remarking, 'This isn't red versus blue; this is right versus wrong. This is about public school funding. This is about helping working folks. This is about lowering costs. This is about everyday folks.'

Leigh Wambsganss acknowledged the outcome, commenting, 'Tonight is a wakeup call for Republicans in Tarrant County, Texas, and the nation. The Democrats were energized. Too many Republicans stayed home.' Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin echoed the sentiment of a broader message, calling Rehmet's victory 'a warning sign to Republicans across the country.' Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder added, 'Taylor Rehmet proved what we already knew: when you stand with working people and talk about the future, Texans listen.'

Rehmet will serve the remaining approximately 11 months of the current term, which concludes in December 2026. Another election for a full four-year term will be held in November 2026.