In what’s a significant political upset, Democrat Taylor Rehmet defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss for the open Texas Senate District 9 seat in Tarrant County, the most important Republican county within the nation, in keeping with full however unofficial returns.
With 100% of the vote in, Rehmet, a union president in Fort Price, captured 54,267 votes – about 57% – whereas Wambsganss, a longtime conservative activist, garnered 40,598 votes, or roughly 43%.
In remarks late Saturday evening after his watch occasion in Fort Price, Rehmet answered questions on his victory.
“This isn’t pink versus blue; that is proper versus improper. That is about public college funding. That is about serving to working of us. That is about decreasing prices. That is about on a regular basis of us. The outcomes are testomony to the laborious work that we’ve put in as a neighborhood right here. This goes above partisan traces,” he mentioned. “Once more, we will discuss partisanship all we wish. I used to be targeted on unity, bringing folks collectively. We’re all Texans. All of us need to look out for one another.”
In a press release Saturday evening, Wambsganss mentioned, “Tonight is a wakeup name for Republicans in Tarrant County, Texas, and the nation. The Democrats had been energized. Too many Republicans stayed residence.
I’ve spoken with Mr. Rehmet by telephone and congratulated him on tonight’s displaying. Mr. Rehmet and I’ll face one another once more in November, and I totally count on the outcomes to be completely different.”
In a press release, DNC Chair Ken Martin mentioned, “It’s clear as day that this disastrous Republican agenda is hurting working households in Texas and throughout the nation, which is why voters in pink, blue, and purple districts are placing their religion in candidates like Taylor Rehmet. This victory is a warning signal to Republicans throughout the nation… Tonight’s outcomes show that no Republican seat is secure. From now till November, Democrats are retaining our foot on the gasoline and organizing and competing all over the place, together with in Texas and the remainder of the Solar Belt.”
The particular runoff on this Republican‑majority district – which incorporates Fort Price and its surrounding suburbs – is being held after Sen. Kelly Hancock resigned final 12 months to change into the appearing Texas comptroller. Each events have been energized, with the nationwide political setting serving to drive turnout.
CBS Information Texas
The race has drawn nationwide consideration since Rehmet gained 46% of the vote in November’s particular election, a 3‑manner contest involving two Republicans: Wambsganss and John Huffman, who completed third and didn’t advance. Since then, each Wambsganss and Rehmet have campaigned aggressively.
The Democratic Nationwide Committee has helped increase turnout for Rehmet. On Friday, DNC Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman launched a press release saying, “The DNC is supporting the Texas Democratic coordinated marketing campaign by recruiting volunteers and bringing our message to extra voters. Democrats are constructing infrastructure in Texas, and the January 31 particular election is an important take a look at to maintain Fort Price shifting ahead.”
On Reality Social the identical day, President Donald Trump urged Republicans to vote for Wambsganss. State and county GOP leaders have echoed that message. At a latest marketing campaign occasion, Gov. Greg Abbott informed CBS Information Texas he isn’t nervous about Republican turnout.
“I’m not involved, and it does come right down to what you say, and that’s it’s a matter of getting our voters energized,” Abbott mentioned. “That’s precisely what we’ve been working to do. It is a voter turnout operation. We all know there are extra Republican voters there than Democratic voters there, and we’re going to prove all our voters, and Leigh goes to win.”
A number of polling places reported lengthy traces on Tuesday, with waits of about 45 minutes, in keeping with the Tarrant County elections web site. Places in Keller, Southlake and North Richland Hills had been among the many busiest. In North Richland Hills, some voters who didn’t need to be recognized informed CBS Information Texas they had been prepared to attend.
“About 20 minutes, 20–half-hour,” one voter mentioned. “It’d be higher if it had been two minutes, however it’s nonetheless your responsibility. I’d have waited an hour, that’s how vital that is. I’d have waited two hours.”
Greater than 45,600 voters solid ballots early, braving chilly temperatures and wintry climate. To win, Wambsganss might want to outperform Rehmet in at this time’s vote. In November, she and Huffman mixed for extra complete votes than Rehmet through the early vote and on Election Day. However when it got here to the variety of votes solid on Election Day itself, Rehmet gained extra votes than each Republicans mixed.
The winner of the runoff will serve the rest of Hancock’s time period, which expires on the finish of December. The Legislature isn’t in session this 12 months. Rehmet and Wambsganss are anticipated to face one another once more in November within the race for a full 4‑12 months time period starting in January 2027, when the subsequent legislative session convenes.
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