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 11:55pm

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Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a special election for the Texas state Senate on Saturday, defeating Republican Leigh Wambsganss in a reliably Republican district that former President Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024. Rehmet, a labor union leader and veteran, had a comfortable lead of more than 14 percentage points with almost all votes counted.

Why it matters

Rehmet's victory adds to Democrats' record of overperforming in special elections so far this cycle, which the party sees as evidence that voters under the second Trump administration are motivated to reject GOP candidates and their policies. The win in a traditionally Republican district is seen as a warning sign for the GOP ahead of the 2024 midterm elections.

The details

Rehmet, who served in the Air Force and works as a machinist, focused his campaign on lowering costs, supporting public education, and protecting jobs. He had support from national organizations like the DNC and VoteVets, a veterans group that spent $500,000 on ads. Trump had urged voters to support Wambsganns, calling her a successful entrepreneur and 'an incredible supporter' of his Make America Great Again movement, but it was not enough to secure a Republican victory.

  • The special election was held on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
  • Rehmet will serve until early January, and must win the November general election to keep the seat for a full four-year term.

The players

Taylor Rehmet

A Democrat who won the special election for the Texas state Senate, flipping a reliably Republican district that President Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024. Rehmet is a labor union leader and veteran who focused his campaign on lowering costs, supporting public education, and protecting jobs.

Leigh Wambsganss

The Republican candidate who was defeated by Rehmet in the special election. Wambsganss is a conservative activist.

Donald Trump

The former president who urged voters to support Wambsganns, calling her a successful entrepreneur and 'an incredible supporter' of his Make America Great Again movement.

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 the state Senate seat to take a statewide office, allowing the special election to be held.

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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 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 takeaway

Rehmet's victory in a reliably Republican district is seen as a warning sign for the GOP ahead of the 2024 midterm elections, as Democrats continue to overperform in special elections and voters appear motivated to reject Republican candidates and policies under the second Trump administration.