This marks the 26th seat that state Democrats have flipped this cycle, signaling incredible momentum as Republicans sound the alarm
WASHINGTON — DLCC Spotlight Candidate Taylor Rehmet flipped a 35-year GOP stronghold in the Texas Senate on Saturday, overperforming by double-digits despite Republicans outspending him by more than $2 million. This was a district Trump won by 17 points in 2024, but Rehmet overcame the odds by running a campaign focused on lowering the cost of living, as a union leader and Air Force veteran.
The DLCC committed to this race early on by spotlighting this special election back in December. We helped directly fundraise for Rehmet’s race and sounded the alarm on the stakes in the final stretch. The DLCC has helped flip a staggering 26 Republican seats this cycle, and we’re poised to bring our winning strategy to more consequential special elections on the horizon.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“We’re kicking off 2026 with earthquake victories in deep Republican territory. Republicans’ failing agenda is raising costs and alienating voters so much that they’ve lost 26 state legislative seats this cycle. Fresh off Taylor Rehmet’s impressive victory, the DLCC is taking our winning strategy across the country to deliver on the once-in-a-generation opportunity to flip as many as 650 seats and capture 8 new majorities. Republicans have been put on notice – we’re coming not just for more seats in Texas, but everywhere.”
Taylor Rehmet’s shocking flip is dominating headlines:
The New York Times: After His Democratic Victory in Texas, a New Working-Class Star Rises
The New York Times: Democratic Upset in Deep Red Texas District Rattles Republicans
The Washington Post: In Texas, Democrats narrow GOP’s U.S. House majority, land state Senate upset
The Guardian: Democrat flips reliably red Texas district in victory that stuns Republican party
Reuters: Texas Democrat’s win a ‘wake-up call’ for Republicans ahead of 2026 elections
NBC News: Democrat Taylor Rehmet flips a Republican Texas state Senate seat
CNN: Why Democrats’ upset in a Texas state Senate race is a big deal
NPR: Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins a reliably Republican Texas state Senate seat, stunning GOP
AP: Texas stunner: Democrat Taylor Rehmet flips Republican state Senate district Trump won by 17 points
Newsweek: Democrat Flips Texas District Donald Trump Won by 17 Points – Newsweek
USA Today: Democrat flips Texas Senate seat, will represent district Trump won
ABC: Democrat Taylor Rehmet flips GOP-held Texas state Senate seat in special election
The Downballot: Texas Democrats score landslide upset in race Trump badly wanted to win
The Hill: Democrats flip Texas state Senate seat in shock upset
Dallas News: Democrat flips GOP Senate seat, sparking celebration and Republican pushback
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Democrat Taylor Rehmet defeats Leigh Wambsganss in Texas Senate runoff
Texas Tribune: Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins solidly red Texas Senate seat in stunning special election upset
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the campaign arm of Democratic state legislatures and leads the national strategy for building power and winning new majorities. Over the last three decades, we have strategized cycle over cycle to win majorities and lead the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level, winning nearly a dozen new chamber majorities over the last decade. Our work has ensured that nearly half of Americans are represented by at least one Democratic majority in their statehouse. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class and advancing opportunity, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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