By Joe Lovinger, Bloomberg News
The Democratic candidate for a Texas state Senate seat in a conservative district near Dallas won a runoff election Saturday, overcoming a late intervention from President Donald Trump in a race viewed as a bellwether for this year’s midterm elections.
Taylor Rehmet defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss in the race for the seat in Tarrant County, which includes Fort Worth. Trump carried the district by 17 percentage points over Kamala Harris in 2024.
Despite Trump’s endorsement of Wambsganss, Rehmet won by more than 11 points. A Democrat has not held that state Senate seat since 1983, Rehmet’s campaign said in a statement.
Trump, speaking to reporters Sunday in Florida, noted that he wasn’t on the ballot so “you don’t know” if the Democratic win would transfer to other races.
“I know there’s a race going there, and it’s too bad. I have nothing to do with it,” he said.
Rehmet will face Wambsganss again in November for a full four-year term. But even a temporary change in party for such a conservative stronghold marks a possible sea change as voters sour on some of Trump’s policies.
“From the very beginning, this campaign has focused on the real issues people face every day: lowering costs, protecting public schools and restoring trust in a broken political system,” Rehmet’s statement said.
Wambsganss sounded a warning. “Tonight is a wakeup call for Republicans in Tarrant County, Texas, and the nation.”
Kelly Hancock, the previous senator for the district, vacated the seat in June 2025 to become the acting Texas comptroller.
Fewer than 20% of registered voters turned out for the runoff. The North Texas suburbs have grown rapidly in recent years, and their congressional districts were some of the most significantly impacted by recent redistricting.
“This Texas election shows that Trump is really exposed,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a post on X. “On ICE, on costs, on healthcare, and on so much more, he’s sinking like a stone.”
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