Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced new assignments to standing and interim committees Monday ahead of the 2027 legislative session, but while nearly every state senator was assigned to a committee, Fort Worth’s state Sen. Taylor Rehmet wasn’t one of them.
Rehmet was one of four state senators not assigned. The other exceptions are state Sen. Robert Nichols, who isn’t seeking reelection, State Sen. Brian Birdwell, who is awaiting confirmation to become an assistant secretary of defense, and state Sen. Mayes Middleton, who is in the runoff of the Republican primary for Texas attorney general.
In a statement issued Monday, Rehmet accused Patrick of silencing his district, SD-9, even further by not assigning him to any committee after leaving the seat vacant for months.
“This decision reflects the kind of petty, partisan politics that too often stands in the way of delivering results for working families,” Rehmet wrote.
Rehmet further stated that he remains fully committed and energized to use all available tools to improve the lives of his constituents.
“My office has already begun research and policy development on all committee topics, and although we are being denied a formal seat at the table, I will continue working every day to ensure Texas works the way it should for working families,” Rehmet wrote. “Today’s announcement does not change the promises I made to SD-9: to respond to the needs of my constituents, to keep my district informed on how decisions in Austin affect their daily lives, and to disavow the partisan politics that hurt Texans.”
For a full list of committee assignments, click here.
Rehmet shocked the state of Texas in a special election at the end of January, defeating Republican Leigh Wambsganns in a historically deep red district that heavily favored President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, winning 57.21% of the vote.
Senate District 9 encompasses much of northern Tarrant County, including much of Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Southlake, and Keller.