On Saturday, Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a state Senate seat that Republicans have controlled for decades. The district, located in the Fort Worth area, was considered safely Republican. Trump had carried it by +17 points in 2024.
That changed fast.
Rehmet defeated Republican candidate Leigh Wambsganss by more than +14 points, marking a swing of over 30 points in just one year. For Democrats, it was more than a win. It was a clear warning.
Republican leaders felt it immediately.
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Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called the result “a wake-up call for Republicans across Texas.” He warned GOP voters not to take any race for granted and blamed low turnout for the loss. Still, the concern was clear.
Something is shifting.
Rehmet is a labor union leader, a veteran, and a machinist. His campaign focused on lowering costs, protecting jobs, supporting public education, and standing up for working people. He kept his message simple and local. “This win goes to everyday working people,” Rehmet told supporters after the results came in.
Democrats argue that the approach is paying off. Rehmet’s win fits into a larger trend that has taken shape since Trump returned to the White House, with Democrats repeatedly exceeding expectations in special elections nationwide.
In Pennsylvania, Democrats won a legislative district they had not held in over 100 years. In November, they dominated ballot contests from Maine to California. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, an outspoken Democratic Socialist, won the mayor’s race with the highest turnout in 50 years.
These results are landing at a difficult moment for Trump. His approval rating is hovering around 40%, and recent polling shows widespread dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy, immigration, trade, and foreign policy. A January AP-NORC survey found that a majority of Americans disapprove of his performance in those areas.
Texas Democrats see Saturday’s result as a clear sign of that frustration. State party chair Kendall Scudder credited Rehmet’s victory to his direct approach, talking to voters about their futures and focusing on real economic issues. “People are noticing that Democrats have the workers’ backs,” Scudder said.
Trump tried to intervene.
Earlier on Election Day, he urged voters to support Wambsganss on his social media platform, praising her loyalty to his MAGA movement. It did not move the needle. Wambsganss later admitted that Republicans stayed home.
“The Democrats were energized,” she said. “Too many Republicans stayed home.”
That energy gap is worrying GOP strategists ahead of the midterms.
Despite holding majorities in many states, Republicans are now pushing aggressive redistricting efforts to protect their power. Trump and Vice President JD Vance have openly encouraged redrawing maps in GOP-friendly states. Democrats, especially in California, are pushing back.
The Texas seat became vacant after longtime Republican Kelly Hancock resigned to take another office. Republicans had held it easily for years. Even though the GOP still controls the Texas legislature, the loss exposed real vulnerability.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
