Democrat Flips Texas Senate Seat in Special Election

Taylor Rehmet defeats Republican Leigh Wambsganss in district Trump won in 2024

Feb. 1, 2026 at 9:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a special election for the Texas state Senate on January 31, flipping a district that former President Donald Trump had won by 17 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. Rehmet, a veteran and labor union leader, defeated Republican activist and entrepreneur Leigh Wambsganss to represent Texas' 9th Senate district in the Fort Worth area.

Why it matters

This win by a Democrat in a district Trump carried in 2024 is seen as a sign that the party has momentum heading into the 2022 midterm elections, where control of Congress is at stake. The narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives will also be further reduced by a separate Democratic victory in a Texas U.S. House special election.

The details

Rehmet told supporters, "This win goes to everyday working people." Trump had backed Wambsganss in the race, urging voters in the district to "GET OUT AND VOTE for a phenomenal Candidate." The Democratic National Committee said the state Senate win "is another sign that Democrats have the momentum heading into November." In a separate Texas special election, Democrat Christian Menefee won a U.S. House seat, narrowing the Republican majority in that chamber.

  • The special election for the Texas state Senate seat was held on January 31, 2026.
  • The special election for the U.S. House seat in Texas was also held on January 31, 2026.

The players

Taylor Rehmet

A Democrat who won the special election for the Texas state Senate seat.

Leigh Wambsganss

The Republican activist and entrepreneur who was defeated by Rehmet in the state Senate race.

Donald Trump

The former president who endorsed Wambsganss in the state Senate race.

Christian Menefee

The Democrat who won the special election for a U.S. House seat in Texas.

Democratic National Committee

The organization that said the state Senate win is a sign of Democratic momentum heading into the 2022 midterm elections.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This win goes to everyday working people.”

— Taylor Rehmet (Multiple reports)

“GET OUT AND VOTE for a phenomenal Candidate.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“is another sign that Democrats have the momentum heading into November”

— Democratic National Committee (Statement)

What’s next

The narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives will be further reduced once Menefee is sworn in, potentially making it more difficult for House Speaker Mike Johnson to get legislation passed.

The takeaway

This special election result in a district that Trump won in 2024 suggests that Democrats may be able to make inroads in Republican-leaning areas in the 2022 midterm elections, potentially shifting the balance of power in Congress.