Texas Shocker: Democrat Taylor Rehmet Flips Deep-Red Senate Seat by 14 Points/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrat Taylor Rehmet scored a major upset by flipping a Texas state Senate district Republicans had held for decades. The Fort Worth–area seat was carried by Donald Trump by 17 points in 2024, yet Rehmet won by a double‑digit margin. The victory adds to a growing list of Democratic overperformances since Trump’s return to the White House.
Quick Look
- Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins Texas state Senate special election
- District had been reliably Republican for decades
- Trump won the seat by 17 points in 2024
- Rehmet defeated Trump‑endorsed Republican Leigh Wambsganss
- Rehmet is a labor union leader and Air Force veteran
- National Democratic groups, including VoteVets, backed his campaign
- Texas GOP leaders call result a “wake‑up call”
- Rehmet will face a rematch in November for a full term
Texas Shocker: Democrat Taylor Rehmet Flips Deep-Red Senate Seat
Deep Look
MELISSA, Texas (AP) — Democrat Taylor Rehmet pulled off a major upset in a Texas state Senate special election Saturday, flipping a Republican-held district that former President Donald Trump carried by 17 points just two years ago. The win marks another strong showing for Democrats nationwide since Trump’s return to the White House.
Trump distanced himself from the result Sunday, telling reporters, “I’m not involved in that. That’s a local Texas race.” But just a day before the election, he gave full-throated support to Republican candidate Leigh Wambsganss, calling her “an incredible supporter” of his MAGA movement and urging voters to turn out.
Despite the endorsement, Wambsganss lost decisively to Rehmet, a labor leader and Air Force veteran, who won by over 14 percentage points in the Fort Worth-area district. The seat became vacant after four-term Republican Sen. Kelly Hancock stepped down for a statewide post.
Rehmet’s Message: Working People First
“This win goes to everyday working people,” Rehmet told supporters after his victory. He campaigned on protecting jobs, supporting public schools, and lowering costs for families — themes echoed by national Democratic allies like the DNC and veterans’ group VoteVets, which spent $500,000 backing his campaign.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder hailed the result as a sign of momentum: “This win shows what is possible in Texas with strong organizing, great candidates and strategic investments.”
GOP Fallout and 2026 Outlook
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick admitted the loss was a “wake-up call for Republicans,” citing unpredictable turnout in special elections but promising the party would reclaim the seat in November.
Wambsganss echoed that view, saying, “The Democrats were energized. Too many Republicans stayed home.”
Rehmet will serve the remainder of the term until January 2027. The two will face off again in the November general election to determine who holds the seat for a full four-year term.
Despite the flip, the Texas Senate remains under Republican control and won’t reconvene until 2027.
National Trends: Democrats Riding Momentum
Rehmet’s win adds to a string of Democratic victories since 2025, including gubernatorial wins in Virginia and New Jersey and key special election pickups in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Iowa.
Meanwhile, Trump’s approval ratings remain stagnant. A January AP-NORC poll showed most Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy, immigration, and foreign policy.
Republicans, under pressure, have pushed aggressive redistricting efforts in key states to maintain control in Washington. Democrats have countered in blue states, including California.
As both parties eye November’s high-stakes midterms, Rehmet’s upset is being seen as a sign that Democratic energy — especially among working-class and veteran voters — could shift battleground races.
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