Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins reliably Republican Texas state Senate seat

Rehmet's victory flips a district that Trump won by 17 points in 2024

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:47pm

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Democrat Taylor Rehmet, a labor union leader and veteran, won a special election for the Texas state Senate on Saturday, defeating Republican Leigh Wambsganss in a reliably Republican district that President Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024. Rehmet's victory adds to Democrats' record of overperforming in special elections so far this cycle.

Why it matters

Rehmet's win in a traditionally Republican district is seen as a warning sign for the GOP ahead of the 2024 elections, indicating that voters under the second Trump administration may be motivated to reject Republican candidates and their policies.

The details

Rehmet defeated Wambsganss, a conservative activist, by more than 14 percentage points. While Rehmet's victory allows him to serve only until early January, he must win the November general election to keep the seat for a full four-year term. The Texas Legislature is not set to reconvene until 2027, and the GOP still will have a comfortable majority.

  • The special election was held on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
  • Rehmet must win 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 won the special election for the Texas state Senate.

Leigh Wambsganss

A conservative activist who ran against Rehmet in the special election.

Donald Trump

The former president who won the district by 17 points in 2024 and urged voters to support Wambsganss.

Ken Martin

The Democratic National Committee Chairman who called Rehmet's victory a "warning sign to Republicans across the country."

Kelly Hancock

The four-term GOP incumbent who resigned to take a statewide office, leaving the seat open.

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What they’re saying

“A warning sign to Republicans across the country.”

— Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee Chairman

“An incredible supporter of my Make America Great Again movement.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

Rehmet must win the November 2026 general election to keep the seat for a full four-year term.

The takeaway

Rehmet's victory in a traditionally Republican district is seen as a sign that voters under the second Trump administration may be motivated to reject GOP candidates, potentially foreshadowing challenges for the party in the 2024 elections.