In a stunning upset in the Texas state Senate special election, Democrat Taylor Rehmet has flipped a reliably Republican district that President Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024. This victory marks the latest in a string of surprise wins for Democrats across the US since Trump's return to office.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick described the result as "a wake-up call" for Republicans in Texas, where the GOP controls all statewide offices. Despite low voter turnout and the unpredictability of special elections, Patrick vowed that his party would regroup and take back the seat in November. The district is more conservative than its home county, Tarrant County, but Rehmet's victory reflects growing support among working-class voters.
Rehmet, a labor union leader and veteran, defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist, by over 30 percentage points, marking an astonishing swing of nearly 14 points. When asked about the win, Rehmet attributed it to his connection with everyday people.
This result is part of Democrats' record-breaking performance in special elections this year, including victories in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, Kentucky, and Iowa. Additionally, Democrats are optimistic after Zohran Mamdani's election as mayor of New York City, a city dominated by the Democratic Party.
Trump's approval ratings remain steady at around 40%, but he faces growing opposition from voters on issues like foreign policy, trade negotiations, immigration, and the economy. The Texas result is seen as further evidence that Trump's policies are being rejected by voters across the country.
Texas Democrats believe their victory was a testament to the strength of grassroots organizing and the appeal of their message to working people. Chair Kendall Scudder said Rehmet's win showed what can be achieved in Texas with strong organization, great candidates, and strategic investments.
Rehmet will serve out his term until January but must face Wambganss again in November for a full four-year term. Despite the party's current minority status in the state legislature, Democrats are banking on momentum from this victory to carry them through to the 2026 midterms.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick described the result as "a wake-up call" for Republicans in Texas, where the GOP controls all statewide offices. Despite low voter turnout and the unpredictability of special elections, Patrick vowed that his party would regroup and take back the seat in November. The district is more conservative than its home county, Tarrant County, but Rehmet's victory reflects growing support among working-class voters.
Rehmet, a labor union leader and veteran, defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist, by over 30 percentage points, marking an astonishing swing of nearly 14 points. When asked about the win, Rehmet attributed it to his connection with everyday people.
This result is part of Democrats' record-breaking performance in special elections this year, including victories in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, Kentucky, and Iowa. Additionally, Democrats are optimistic after Zohran Mamdani's election as mayor of New York City, a city dominated by the Democratic Party.
Trump's approval ratings remain steady at around 40%, but he faces growing opposition from voters on issues like foreign policy, trade negotiations, immigration, and the economy. The Texas result is seen as further evidence that Trump's policies are being rejected by voters across the country.
Texas Democrats believe their victory was a testament to the strength of grassroots organizing and the appeal of their message to working people. Chair Kendall Scudder said Rehmet's win showed what can be achieved in Texas with strong organization, great candidates, and strategic investments.
Rehmet will serve out his term until January but must face Wambganss again in November for a full four-year term. Despite the party's current minority status in the state legislature, Democrats are banking on momentum from this victory to carry them through to the 2026 midterms.
Their strategy is to focus on working-class voters who are getting tired of Trump's policies 
thinkin' about what it means when one guy can take down an entire party in a single election... like, it's not just about Taylor Rehmet bein' some charismatic leader or whatever, it's about people seein' through the noise and realizin' that there's more to politics than just party lines. it's like, we're livin' in this moment where voters are more connected to each other than ever before, and it's changin' the game 
... like seriously, who needs that much of a swing? It's all just a fluke because Trump won by 17 points in 2024 and now it's like everyone forgot about his winning ways... meanwhile, the real issue is what's going to happen when Rehmet tries to balance the state budget with his newfound progressive agenda 
. Newsflash: Democrats might have won this time but they're still gonna get crushed in November... don't @ me 
. Remember when Trump first got elected? Everyone thought he was gonna be a one-term wonder 
. Democrats are on fire right now 
and Trump's approval ratings are still stuck in neutral 
. Bring it on, November elections! 
I'm so down for any party that's making real change in their communities. Working-class voters are the ones who need a voice and it sounds like Democrats are finally listening 
Texas Republicans need to step up their game if they wanna take back those seats 