Democrat Taylor Rehmet pulls off shock victory in deep-red Texas Senate special election

TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — In a political race that has captivated local voters and drawn statewide attention, Texas Senate District 9 is headed for a decisive special election runoff. The contest, set to conclude a dramatic chapter in Tarrant County politics, pits Republican Taylor Rehmet against Republican Leigh Wambsganss. This runoff will determine who fills the seat left vacant by the resignation of former State Senator Kelly Hancock, setting the political direction for one of Texas’s most pivotal districts. Here’s an in-depth look at the candidates, the issues, and what’s at stake for the people of Tarrant County.

The Backdrop: A Vacant Seat in a Conservative Stronghold

Texas Senate District 9 is entirely within Tarrant County, encompassing parts of Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Watauga, and other key suburbs. It is a reliably Republican district, making the GOP primary the de facto deciding battle. The seat became open when longtime incumbent Kelly Hancock resigned to join the Texas Railroad Commission, triggering a special election under Gov. Greg Abbott’s call.

The initial special election on January 31 featured a crowded field of candidates from both parties. With no candidate securing over 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters—both Republicans—advanced to the runoff. This sets up a classic intra-party battle, pitting different visions of conservatism against each other in a race that will resonate in Austin.

Meet the Candidates: Taylor Rehmet vs. Leigh Wambsganss

Taylor Rehmet: The Business-Oriented Conservative

A Keller resident and former Colleyville City Council member, Taylor Rehmet is a business attorney and managing partner of a commercial real estate investment firm. His campaign centers on a platform of economic freedom, property tax relief, and bolstering Texas’s business climate.

Key Campaign Pillars:

• Taxation & Spending: A staunch advocate for eliminating the school M&O property tax, Rehmet supports using the state’s historic budget surplus to buy down property taxes permanently. He champions strict limits on government spending and appraisal growth.
• Border Security: Endorsed by groups like Texans for Strong Borders, Rehmet calls for the full implementation of Senate Bill 4, continued construction of border barriers, and heightened penalties for human trafficking.
• Education & Parental Rights: He supports school choice in the form of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), increased teacher pay, and policies that reinforce parental authority over their children’s education and healthcare decisions.
• Endorsements: Rehmet has garnered support from key figures like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson, and a host of local municipal leaders and conservative activists.

Rehmet positions himself as the “principled, effective conservative” who can navigate the legislative process to deliver on core GOP promises.

Leigh Wambsganss: The Grassroots “Mama Bear”

A former Keller ISD school board president and longtime GOP activist, Leigh Wambsganss’s campaign is deeply rooted in her education background and grassroots mobilization. She frames herself as a “truth-telling mama bear” and a fighter for families.

Key Campaign Pillars:

• Education as a Frontline Issue: With her school board experience, Wambsganss emphasizes dismantling “woke ideologies” in classrooms, removing “explicit” materials from libraries, and empowering parents. She supports ESAs but stresses the need to simultaneously protect and reform public school funding.
• Border & Security: She advocates for designating cartels as terrorist organizations, increasing penalties for fentanyl distribution, and providing more resources to law enforcement.
• Ethics & Anti-Corruption: Promising to be a “citizen legislator,” Wambsganss highlights her fight against alleged corruption during her time on the Keller ISD board and pledges to bring that same scrutiny to Austin.
• Endorsements: Wambsganss is endorsed by Attorney General Ken Paxton, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, and several conservative grassroots organizations like the True Texas Project. Paxton’s endorsement, in particular, has drawn a clear ideological line, as he has actively campaigned against Hancock and other incumbents he views as insufficiently conservative.

Wambsganss presents herself as the uncompromising political outsider ready to challenge the Austin “establishment.”

The Defining Fault Lines of the Runoff

This runoff is more than a simple choice between two Republicans; it reflects broader tensions within the Texas GOP.

1. The Austin “Establishment” vs. The Grassroots Insurgency: Rehmet, with endorsements from Senate leadership like Dan Patrick, is seen as the candidate of the party apparatus. Wambsganss, backed by Ken Paxton (who has a longstanding feud with many in Senate leadership), represents the insurgent, activist wing that seeks to primary incumbents deemed moderate.
2. Governing Style: Rehmet emphasizes effectiveness, knowledge of policy, and the ability to pass legislation. Wambsganss emphasizes conviction, fighting, and holding the line on principle, even if it means standing alone.
3. Core Issue Emphasis: While both agree on fundamental Republican principles, their focal points differ. Rehmet’s narrative is heavily weighted toward economic and fiscal issues (taxes, business regulation). Wambsganss’s narrative is driven primarily by social and cultural issues (education content, parental rights).

The Significance of Tarrant County

This election is a critical barometer for Tarrant County, once a GOP fortress that has become Texas’s largest swing county. Democratic gains in recent years have made every Republican-held seat in the county essential for statewide GOP dominance. The outcome of SD-9 will signal which brand of Republicanism is most effective at mobilizing the base and winning elections in this changing environment.

Furthermore, the winner will immediately influence the Texas Senate’s balance of power. The GOP holds a 19-12 majority. While the seat will remain Republican, the winner’s alignment—whether with the leadership team or the more rebellious Paxton-aligned bloc—could impact the dynamics on contentious votes, from school choice to border funding.

What Voters Are Saying: The Local Pulse

At early voting locations and community forums across Keller, North Richland Hills, and Fort Worth, voter sentiment reveals the race’s tight nature.

• Rehmet Voters often cite his “professionalism,” “detailed policy knowledge,” and the need for a senator who “knows how to get things done from day one.” Many are small business owners concerned with property taxes.
• Wambsganss Voters are energized by her “fighter” persona and her direct experience taking on the school system. They use words like “trustworthy,” “principled,” and “unbending” and express frustration with what they see as compromise in Austin.

Turnout, as always in a low-profile runoff, is expected to be decisive. The candidate that best mobilizes their dedicated base of supporters in these final days will likely prevail.

Looking Ahead: Implications for Texas Politics

The Texas Senate District 9 runoff is a microcosm of modern Republican politics. It’s a battle between:

• Governing Conservatism vs. Movement Conservatism
• Policy-Wonk Pragmatism vs. Populist Principle
• The Power of Incumbent Leadership Endorsements vs. The Power of Grassroots Activist Networks

The results will be dissected by political operatives across the state as a clue to the party’s direction heading into the November general elections. A Rehmet victory would affirm the strength of the traditional party structure in Tarrant County. A Wambsganss win would be hailed by the party’s right flank as evidence that the grassroots demand for unwavering ideological purity is the winning path.

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How and When to Vote

• Runoff Election Day: Tuesday, May 7, 2024
• Early Voting: Monday, April 29 – Friday, May 3.
• Eligibility: All registered voters in Texas Senate District 9 (parts of Tarrant County) are eligible to vote in this runoff, regardless of whether they voted in the initial special election. Voters can cast a ballot for either candidate, as this is an open runoff.
• Finding Your Polling Place: Visit the Tarrant County Elections Administration website or use the Texas Secretary of State’s “My Voter Portal” for the most accurate location information.

A Choice of Visions

The runoff between Taylor Rehmet and Leigh Wambsganss offers District 9 voters a profound choice. It is not a referendum on Republicanism, but on what kind of Republican representation they want.

Do they choose Taylor Rehmet’s vision of a fiscally focused, policy-driven conservative who works within the system to deliver results? Or do they opt for Leigh Wambsganss’s promise of a combative, culturally-focused conservative who vows to be a disruptive force for conservative principles?

The answer, delivered by the voters of Tarrant County on May 7th, will send a powerful message that will echo from Fort Worth to the steps of the Texas State Capitol.