Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a special election for a Texas state Senate seat on Saturday, flipping a district previously considered reliably Republican. President Donald Trump won the district by 17 percentage points in 2024.
A Shift in Texas Politics
Rehmet, a labor union leader and veteran, defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist, in the Fort Worth-area district by more than 14 percentage points with almost all votes counted. “This win goes to everyday working people,” Rehmet stated to supporters following the election.
This victory builds on a trend of Democrats overperforming in special elections, which the party attributes to voter dissatisfaction with the second Trump administration and its policies. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin characterized the outcome as “a warning sign to Republicans across the country.”
The seat became vacant after four-term Republican Kelly Hancock resigned to take a statewide position. Despite the district being more conservative than Tarrant County – where Trump won by 5 points in 2024, and Biden won by approximately 1,800 votes in 2020 – Rehmet secured a decisive win.
Even with a last-minute social media push from President Trump urging support for Wambsganss, describing her as a “successful entrepreneur” and “incredible supporter,” Rehmet benefited from significant support from national organizations. VoteVets, a veterans group, invested $500,000 in advertising to support his campaign. Rehmet’s platform focused on lowering costs, supporting public education, and protecting jobs.
Democrats have seen encouraging results in elections since Trump took office, including wins in the Virginia and New Jersey governor races in November. Similar successes have been observed in special elections held in Kentucky and Iowa. While a Republican won a special election in Tennessee, the narrow margin of victory provided further optimism for Democrats heading into the fall midterm elections.
Rehmet will serve in the Senate until early January, at which point he must compete in the November general election to secure a full four-year term. The Texas Legislature is not scheduled to reconvene until 2027, and Republicans will maintain a comfortable majority in the chamber.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted this special election?
The special election was held because the previous state senator, Kelly Hancock, resigned from his position to take a statewide office.
By how much did Taylor Rehmet win the election?
Taylor Rehmet won the election by more than 14 percentage points, with almost all votes counted.
What was President Trump’s involvement in the election?
President Trump posted on his social media platform urging voters to support Republican candidate Leigh Wambsganss, calling her a “successful entrepreneur” and “incredible supporter.”
As Democrats continue to find success in traditionally Republican areas, what factors might contribute to a sustained shift in the political landscape of Texas?
