Rehmet will represent parts of the northern Tarrant County seat. The district was previously represented by Republican Kelly Hancock and elected Donald Trump in 2024
TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — Democrat Taylor Rehmet defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss in the State Senate District 9 runoff election held Saturday in Tarrant County. His win flipped the reliably Republican district, which deeply favored Donald Trump in 2024 and has been represented by a Republican for over a decade.
Results show Rehmet prevailed with 57.21% of the vote over Wambsganss’ 42.79%.
“This win goes to everyday working people,” Rehmet said in a video posted to his Facebook page. Rehet previously got a majority of the vote, 47.6%, against both Wambsganss and another Republican candidate, but failed to receive at least 51% of the vote, sending the race to a runoff.
Senate District 9 encompasses much of northern Tarrant County, including much of Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Southlake and Keller, that has been vacant since Kelly Hancock vacated it to take the position of Acting Texas Comptroller.
Senate District 9 has historically been a deep red district. Donald Trump won in the district by 17 points in 2024.
Wambsganss also significantly outraised Rehmet by about $2.2 million, according to reporting from The Fort Worth Report.
Rehmet is a veteran and union leader with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, according to his campaign. His platform includes advocating for workers’ and veterans’ rights, investing in public education and public transportation.
“He knows the best way to raise wages, protect jobs, and ensure dignity on the job is through strong unions and worker power. Taylor will lead efforts to repeal anti-union laws, expand collective bargaining, and bring good-paying, union jobs back to Texas communities,” Rehmet said about his platform.
He also advocates to “fully fund mental health care, job training, housing, and support services for veterans and their families across Texas.”
Wambsganss conceded the race in a statement on social media Saturday night. She said she will run for the seat again in November, when the seat will once again be up for election.
“Tonight is a wakeup call for Republicans in Tarrant County, Texas, and the nation,” Wambsganss wrote. “The Democrats were energized. Too many Republicans stayed home.”
Wambsganss identifies herself as ultra-MAGA on social media and was a significant player in Tarrant County politics even before running for office. She is the CEO of Patriot Mobile, a Christian cellphone company that has made hundreds of thousands of dollars in political contributions to conservative candidates in Tarrant County.
On Election Day, President Trump posted his support for Wambsganss on social media.
Her platform includes protecting the Second Amendment, supporting oil and gas interests, excluding transgender people from women’s sports and supporting law enforcement both locally and at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Turnout in the election was about 15%, Wambsganss said she expects the higher turnout usually prompted by November elections will help her campaign, and she plans to start preparing for the race Sunday morning. In a social media post, Rehmet also asked for support ahead of the November elections.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.