Texas Democrats are hailing a surprising special election victory after Taylor Rehmet coasted to a 14-point win in a state Senate district long held by Republicans, prompting national Democrats to declare the result a warning sign for the GOP.
Rehmet, a Democrat, captured the seat vacated by longtime Republican Sen. Kelly Hancock, who had represented the district for four terms and never faced a close reelection fight. Following his victory, Rehmet framed the outcome as a win for “everyday working people,” highlighting his background as a veteran and union leader. Almost immediately, he turned his focus toward fundraising ahead of a full reelection campaign scheduled for November.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin seized on the outcome as evidence of broader momentum for his party, particularly in areas that have traditionally favored Republicans. Martin pointed out that the district had been carried decisively by President Donald Trump in the past, arguing that the result signals a troubling trend for Republicans nationwide.
“Republicans just lost a district Trump won by 17 points — in Texas,” Martin said as Rehmet was projected to win. “That’s not an anomaly, it’s a pattern.” He added that Democrats believe they are continuing what he described as historic overperformance and made clear the party intends to press its advantage heading into November, declaring, “ALL GAS, NO BRAKES!!”
The race drew national attention in part because of President Trump’s direct involvement. As voters headed to the polls for Saturday’s special election, Trump issued a lengthy endorsement of Republican candidate Leigh Wambsganss, urging supporters to turn out in force.
In his message, Trump praised Wambsganss as a successful entrepreneur and a strong supporter of the MAGA movement. He emphasized the importance of keeping the district in Republican hands, arguing that Texas leaders needed a “strong conservative Republican” to maintain the state’s red status. Trump also warned that Democrats were spending heavily to defeat what he described as a “true MAGA Warrior,” and he closed by offering his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Wambsganss.
Despite the high-profile backing, Republicans were unable to hold the seat, marking a sharp contrast with Hancock’s previous electoral success in the same district. Hancock had consistently won reelection with comfortable margins, making the loss particularly striking for GOP strategists.
Democrats have pointed to this race as part of a string of recent electoral successes since Trump began his second term in the White House. However, many of those victories have occurred in districts considered competitive or traditionally Democratic, such as parts of Virginia and New Jersey. The Texas result stands out because of the state’s reputation as reliably Republican, especially in statewide contests.
Rehmet’s win also comes as another Texas Democrat, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, escalates her own campaign for a U.S. Senate seat, even as the state remains firmly red at the federal level. Together, Democrats argue these efforts reflect growing confidence and ambition as they look ahead to the November elections, while Republicans are left to reassess how a once-safe Texas district slipped from their grasp.
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