Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins a reliably Republican Texas state Senate seat, stunning GOP

Democrat Taylor Rehmet has won a special election for the Texas state Senate and flipped a reliably Republican district that President Donald Trump won by 17 points in 2024. Rehmet is a labor union leader and veteran, and he easily defeated Republican and conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss in the Fort Worth-area district. His victory added to Democrats’ record of overperforming in special elections so far this cycle. Trump used his social media platform to urge voters to support Wambsganss, but Rehmet had support from national organizations. The victory allows Rehmet to serve only until early January, and he must win the November general election to keep the seat after that.