AUSTIN, Tx., February 2, 2026: Two Texas elections on Saturday suggests that Democrats are reaching Texas voters. As election results were being counted on Saturday, Texas Republicans were wondering if this is a preview of the upcoming midterms across Texas.
Christian Menefee and Taylor Rehmet won special elections on Saturday.
Menefee won the special election for the Texas 18th Congressional District, increasing the number of the Democratic Party-controlled seats at the House to 214, just shy of the 218 seats controlled by the Republicans. This leaves the Republicans with only a one seat cushion on future legislation, including the vote to end the latest federal government shutdown.
The special election was called after Sylvester Turner (D-TX-18) died last year, who was elected to replace Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) who also died leaving the seat vacant. Among Menefee’s endorsements included Beto O’Rourke.
Menefee’s term ends in January 2027 and he faces another election against Amanda Edwards, who he defeated on Saturday, and Al Green in the March 3 primaries.
Menefee’s election was expected in the Democratic controlled district in Houston. It is the Rehmet win for the Texas State Senate District 9 seat on Saturday that has concerned Republicans for the upcoming mid-term elections.
He flipped a reliable Republic district on Saturday. According to Fox News reporting yesterday morning, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said that Rehmet’s win is “a warning sign to Republicans across the country.”
Rehmet must defeat Leigh Wambsganss a second time in November to keep his seat past January 2027. Wambsganss is known for her activism that brought Christian nationalism to schools in Fort Worth. Christian nationalists believe that the United States was founded on Christian values and is a Christian nation.
Although Rehmet was outspent heavily by Wambsganss, he defeated her with almost 60% of the vote, according to early results.
In both the Menefee and Rehmet special elections, turnout was lower than expected. Both candidates must run again for reelection this year.
Cover picture credit: Taylor Rehmet on the left and Christian Menefee on the right. Candidate campaign photographs.
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