2 days ago
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In what is simply a large governmental upset, Democrat Taylor Rehmet defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss for the unfastened Texas Senate District 9 spot successful Tarrant County, the largest Republican region successful the nation, according to implicit but unofficial returns.
With 100% of the ballot in, Rehmet, a national president successful Fort Worth, captured 54,267 votes - astir 57% - portion Wambsganss, a longtime blimpish activist, garnered 40,598 votes, oregon astir 43%.
In a statement, DNC Chair Ken Martin said, "It's wide arsenic time that this disastrous Republican docket is hurting moving families successful Texas and crossed the country, which is wherefore voters successful red, blue, and purple districts are putting their religion successful candidates similar Taylor Rehmet. This triumph is simply a informing motion to Republicans crossed the country... Tonight's results beryllium that nary Republican spot is safe. From present until November, Democrats are keeping our ft connected the state and organizing and competing everywhere, including successful Texas and the remainder of the Sun Belt."
The peculiar runoff successful this Republican‑majority territory – which includes Fort Worth and its surrounding suburbs – is being held aft Sen. Kelly Hancock resigned past twelvemonth to go the acting Texas comptroller. Both parties person been energized, with the nationalist governmental situation helping thrust turnout.
CBS News Texas
The contention has drawn nationalist attraction since Rehmet won 46% of the ballot successful November's peculiar election, a three‑way contention involving 2 Republicans: Wambsganss and John Huffman, who finished 3rd and did not advance. Since then, some Wambsganss and Rehmet person campaigned aggressively.
The Democratic National Committee has helped boost turnout for Rehmet. On Friday, DNC Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman released a connection saying, "The DNC is supporting the Texas Democratic coordinated run by recruiting volunteers and bringing our connection to much voters. Democrats are gathering infrastructure successful Texas, and the January 31 peculiar predetermination is simply a important trial to support Fort Worth moving forward."
On Truth Social the aforesaid day, President Donald Trump urged Republicans to ballot for Wambsganss. State and region GOP leaders person echoed that message. At a caller run event, Gov. Greg Abbott told CBS News Texas helium is not disquieted astir Republican turnout.
"I'm not concerned, and it does travel down to what you say, and that is it's a substance of getting our voters energized," Abbott said. "That's precisely what we've been moving to do. This is simply a elector turnout operation. We cognize determination are much Republican voters determination than Democratic voters there, and we're going to crook retired each our voters, and Leigh is going to win."
Several polling locations reported agelong lines connected Tuesday, with waits of astir 45 minutes, according to the Tarrant County elections website. Locations successful Keller, Southlake and North Richland Hills were among the busiest. In North Richland Hills, immoderate voters who did not privation to beryllium identified told CBS News Texas they were consenting to wait.
"About 20 minutes, 20–30 minutes," 1 elector said. "It'd beryllium amended if it were 2 minutes, but it's inactive your duty. I would person waited an hour, that's however important this is. I would person waited 2 hours."
More than 45,600 voters formed ballots early, braving acold temperatures and wintry weather. To win, Wambsganss volition request to outperform Rehmet successful today's vote. In November, she and Huffman combined for much full votes than Rehmet during the aboriginal ballot and connected Election Day. But erstwhile it came to the fig of votes formed connected Election Day itself, Rehmet won much votes than some Republicans combined.
The victor of the runoff volition service the remainder of Hancock's term, which expires astatine the extremity of December. The Legislature is not successful league this year. Rehmet and Wambsganss are expected to look each different again successful November successful the contention for a afloat four‑year word opening successful January 2027, erstwhile the adjacent legislative league convenes.
Follow Jack connected X: @cbs11jack
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