Trump Distances Himself From Texas Loss as Approval Rating Drops

Democrat Taylor Rehmet flips Republican state Senate seat in special election, raising concerns for GOP ahead of 2026 midterms.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:31am

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As the 2026 midterm elections approach, a special election in Texas has reinforced concerns about the Republican Party's standing. Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Republican state Senate seat in a district that former President Donald Trump won by 17 percentage points in 2024. Trump had backed the Republican candidate, but later tried to distance himself from the loss, saying he wasn't on the ballot. Recent polls show Trump's approval rating has declined, with a majority of voters believing the country is worse off than a year ago.

Why it matters

The Texas special election loss is seen as a 'wake-up call' for local and national Republicans, as the party in power often struggles in midterm elections. Trump's declining approval ratings and voters' negative perceptions of the country's direction could spell trouble for Republicans as they aim to maintain control of Congress.

The details

Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Republican state Senate seat in a special election in a Fort Worth-area district that Trump won by 17 percentage points in 2024. Trump had backed the Republican candidate, Leigh Wambsganss, but later tried to distance himself from the loss, saying he wasn't on the ballot. Recent polls show Trump's approval rating has declined, with a Pew Research Center survey finding only 27% of U.S. adults support his policy prescriptions, down from 35% a year earlier. A Fox News poll found a 54% majority thinks the country is worse off today than it was a year ago.

  • The special election in Texas took place on January 31, 2026.
  • Trump made comments distancing himself from the Texas loss on February 1, 2026.

The players

Taylor Rehmet

The Democratic candidate who flipped a Republican state Senate seat in the Texas special election.

Leigh Wambsganss

The Republican candidate in the Texas state Senate special election who was backed by former President Trump.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has seen his approval rating decline in recent polls.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.