Rehmet flipped a long Republican-held Texas State Senate seat in the District 9 runoff election on Jan. 31.

AUSTIN, Texas — A Democrat whose win sent shockwaves through the Texas political landscape is now officially a member of the Texas Senate.

Taylor Rehmet was sworn in on Thursday as the new State Senator for District 9, which is located in the Fort Worth area. The seat had been vacated last year after former Republican State Sen. Kelly Hancock resigned to become the acting Texas Comptroller.

Rehmet, a union president and Air Force veteran, defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss with 57% of the vote to her 43% in their runoff election on Jan. 31. His win was considered a massive upset due to the district’s heavily Republican lean. For comparison, President Donald Trump carried District 9 by 17 points in the 2024 presidential election, meaning Rehmet’s nearly 15-point win represented a roughly 31-point swing.

Rehmet released the following statement following his swearing in:

“I am deeply honored to be sworn in as the Senator for Texas Senate District 9. When the people of Texas sent me here, they asked for a chance at a future they can be proud of.

A future where a good job can build a good life. Where a child’s path is determined solely by their effort. Where communities are safe, schools are supported, and opportunity is close enough to touch. They sent me here believing tomorrow can be better than today.

I accept that responsibility with humility and with absolute confidence in what we can accomplish together.”

Wambsganss vastly outspent Rehmet throughout the campaign. She raised more than $2.5 million throughout her campaign, while Rehmet raised less than $400,000. Top Republicans, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, campaigned heavily for Wambsganss, encouraging Republicans to turn out and vote.

Trump himself even posted three separate messages about Wambsganns on social media in the days leading up to the election, calling her “a highly successful Entrepreneur, and an incredible supporter of our Movement to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” as well as “a GREAT Candidate” who “has my Complete and Total Endorsement.”

Rehmet’s victory was the latest case of Democrats overperforming in special elections so far this cycle. Hancock easily won reelection, and Republicans had held the seat for decades. This is the first time a Democrat has represented this Senate seat in the northern part of Tarrant County in the State Senate since the early 1980s.

Following Rehmet’s win, Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder said he believes it is an omen of good things to come for Democrats this year.

Rehmet will serve out the final 11 months of Hancock’s term, though the Texas Legislature is not scheduled to meet again until 2027. He and Wambsganss are set to face off once again in the November general election for a full term. The election will run concurrently with major statewide elections for the U.S. Senate and Governor, as well as U.S. House and other statewide legislative races.