Democrat flips Texas Senate seat, will represent district Trump won

Kate Perez, USA TODAY

Updated Sun, February 1, 2026 at 3:36 PM UTC

4 min read

Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a special election for the Texas state Senate on Jan. 31, flipping a district blue that President Donald Trump won by 17 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election against Kamala Harris .

Rehmet, a veteran and labor union leader, defeated Republican activist and entrepreneur Leigh Wambsganss to represent Texas' 9th Senate district, located in the Fort Worth area.

“This win goes to everyday working people,” Rehmet told supporters, according to multiple reports .

Trump had backed Wambsganss in the race, urging voters in the district in a post on Truth Social to "GET OUT AND VOTE for a phenomenal Candidate."

Speaking to reporters outside Mar-a-Lago on Feb. 1, Trump distanced himself from the Texas GOP loss, saying “I’m not involved with that.”

“I'm not on the ballot,” the president said. “So, you don't know whether or not it's transferable, but you put the Democrats in, you'll end up with open borders again.”

The Democratic National Committee in a statement said the state Senate win "is another sign that Democrats have the momentum heading into November," referring to the midterm elections that could shift the balance of power in Washington.

Democratic Texas Representative Gene Wu speaks during a press conference after the passing of H.B. 4, during a session in which Democratic lawmakers, who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texas's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

Texas State Representative for House District 95 Nicole Collier sleeps in the House chamber, where she has chosen to remain until Wednesday, after Democratic lawmakers who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texas’s 38 congressional districts returned to the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 19, 2025. Collier is staying in the chamber because she did not want to sign the required permission slip allowing lawmakers to leave the Capitol under escort by Department of Public Safety agents.

Democratic State Senators huddle with staffers as the Republicans' attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025.

State Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Democrat, asks questions about the redistricting process as Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025.

Republican State Senator Pete Flores looks over redistricting maps as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025.

Democratic State Sen. Roland Gutierrez holds a discussion with Republican State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and Democratic State Sen. Cesar Blanco as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025.

Democratic State Sen. Molly Cook asks questions to Republican Sen. Phil King as the Republicans’ attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025.

Democratic State Sen. Royce West asks questions to Republican Sen. Phil King as the Republicans’ attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025.

State Representative Matt Morgan (R-TX) holds a map of the new proposed congressional districts in Texas, during a legislative session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

Republican Texas State Representative Todd Hunter, surrounded by most of the Republican members of the House of Representatives, speaks during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

U.S. Representative Al Green attends a protest during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dustin Burrows bangs the gavel during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

A group of Democratic Representatives refer to themselves as the "Collier 7" take a photo during a legislative session, as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

A computer screen shows a section of the proposed congressional district map while Democratic Texas State Representative Gene Wu sits at his desk during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

Democratic Texas State Representative Diego Burnal speaks during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

Republican Texas State Representative David Lowe wears a button with the words "Big Beautiful Map" during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

Democratic State Rep. Nicole Collier asks questions about H.B. 4 during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

Democratic Texas Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez speaks at a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Democratic Texas Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democratic Texas Rep. Mihaela Plesa tears her Department of Public Safety escort form during a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democratic Texas Rep. Penny Morales Shaw displays a poster of Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier during a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Rep. Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democratic Texas Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez holds a Department of Public Safety escort form during a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

People demonstrate, calling for the release of Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. State Rep. Nicole Collier has spent the night on the House floor after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The Texas State Capitol is seen on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. State Rep. Nicole Collier has spent the night on the House floor after refusing a mandatory escort by Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Lawmakers convene for roll call during a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Demonstrators chant as lawmakers are welcomed back ahead of a House meeting in the state Capitol on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democratic Texas Rep. Ramon Romero attends a news conference at the conclusion of a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democratic lawmakers are welcomed back upon arrival at a House meeting in the state Capitol on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu attends a news conference at the conclusion of a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Texas Democrats return, continue to protest redistricting efforts by Republicans

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Democratic Texas Representative Gene Wu speaks during a press conference after the passing of H.B. 4, during a session in which Democratic lawmakers, who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texas's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

Democrat wins US House of Representatives seat

The state Senate race wasn't the only victory Democrats notched over the weekend. Democrat Christian Menefee won a Texas special election for the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 31, according to multiple reports, a result that will narrow Republicans' already slim majority in the chamber.

More: Judge orders release of father and 5-year-old detained by ICE in Minnesota

Democrats Menefee, a former Harris County attorney, and Amanda Edwards, a former member of Houston's city council, competed in a runoff to represent Texas' 18th Congressional District, a solidly Democratic area covering part of Houston and the surrounding region.

However, this election does not necessarily predict which party might win in November's midterms. In the 2024 presidential election, then-Vice President Harris won the district over Trump by 69%-29%.

Republicans hold a 218-213 majority in the House, an already close margin that will narrow to 218-214 once Menefee takes office. Other House vacancies are also slated to be filled later this year, with special elections planned for Georgia, New Jersey and California in March, April and August, respectively.

House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-Louisiana, already faced difficulties getting legislation across the finish line with the current GOP majority.

Menefee is expected to be sworn in quickly, but it's not certain. In fall 2025, Johnson delayed the swearing-in of now-Representative Adelita Grijalva following a special election in Arizona. She won that race in September but was not sworn in until mid-November.

More: A Democratic rep.-elect isn't being sworn in. Is it because she'd force an Epstein vote?

Hot button issues to come for a narrowly divided US Congress

Menefee will step into a seat that has been empty for months. The U.S. House district has been vacant most of the past year following the March 2025 death of Representative Sylvester Turner, who served only two months.

The election came after Menefee and Edwards were the top two vote receivers from a group of 16 candidates last November . As part of Congress, Menefee could face voting on controversial issues in coming weeks. Legislation imposing tougher operating procedures on federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and other cities throughout the nation and an attempt to reinstate a federal health insurance subsidy remain priorities for lawmakers.

These potential legislations could be among several items decided by tight votes. The issue of federal immigration action specifically has been repeatedly challenged following two separate shooting deaths in Minneapolis at the hands of federal officials.

More: Judge declines to halt ICE actions in Minnesota. What we know Saturday

Several recent special elections have gone well for Democrats, including a win in Virginia in September 2025 . The victories have boosted the party's hopes of winning control of the House in November's midterm races. All 435 House seats will be up for grabs.

Contributing: Reuters; USA TODAY's Sudiksha Kochi and Zac Anderson.

Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on X @katecperez_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dems win Texas Senate, US House seats to narrow Republican control

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