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Democrat Taylor Rehmet flips Republican Texas state Senate district
Rehmet's surprise victory in a district Trump won by 17 points is a 'wake-up call' for Texas Republicans, says Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Feb. 1, 2026 at 11:15am
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Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a reliably Republican state Senate district in Texas in a special election on Saturday, defeating conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss by more than 14 percentage points in a district that former President Donald Trump had won by 17 points in 2024. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called Rehmet's victory a "wake-up call for Republicans across Texas," where the GOP controls every statewide office.
Why it matters
Rehmet's win adds to a string of surprise victories for Democrats across the U.S. since Trump returned to the White House, and it comes as the former president's approval ratings hold steady around 40%. Democrats said the results show voters under the second Trump administration are motivated to reject GOP candidates and their policies.
The details
Rehmet, a labor union leader and veteran, focused his campaign on lowering costs, supporting public education, and protecting jobs. He had support from national Democratic organizations, including the DNC and VoteVets, a veterans group that spent $500,000 on ads. Wambsganss, who warned her party not to be complacent, said "The Democrats were energized. Too many Republicans stayed home."
- The special election was held on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
- Rehmet will only serve until early January, and he will face Wambsganss again in the November 2026 general election to keep the seat for a full four-year term.
The players
Taylor Rehmet
A labor union leader and veteran who flipped the reliably Republican state Senate district.
Leigh Wambsganss
A conservative activist who was the Republican candidate in the special election.
Dan Patrick
The Republican Lieutenant Governor of Texas, who called Rehmet's victory a "wake-up call for Republicans across Texas."
Donald Trump
The former president, who urged voters to support Wambsganss and called her an "incredible supporter" of his Make America Great Again movement.
Kendall Scudder
The Texas Democratic Party Chair, who said Rehmet's win shows "what is possible in Texas with strong organizing, great candidates and strategic investments."
What they’re saying
“This win goes to everyday working people.”
— Taylor Rehmet
“Our voters cannot take anything for granted. I know the energy and strength the Republican grassroots in Texas possess. We will come out fighting with a new resolve, and we will take this seat back in November.”
— Dan Patrick, Republican Lt. Gov. of Texas (X)
“This win shows what is possible in Texas with strong organizing, great candidates and strategic investments. People are noticing that Democrats have the workers' backs and are delivering results.”
— Kendall Scudder, Texas Democratic Party Chair
What’s next
Rehmet will face Wambsganss again in the November 2026 general election to keep the state Senate seat for a full four-year term.
The takeaway
Rehmet's surprise victory in a reliably Republican district is the latest in a string of Democratic wins across the U.S. since Trump returned to the White House, underscoring the party's ability to energize voters and the potential vulnerabilities of GOP candidates in the second Trump administration.
