Three candidates are vying for the Texas Senate District 9 seat in a special election. Republicans John Huffman, former Southlake mayor, and Leigh Wambsganss, chief communications officer for Patriot Mobile, are competing against Democrat Taylor Rehmet, an Air Force veteran and union organizer.
The election is significant as it fills a vacant seat that ends in January 2027, with the winner serving out the remainder of the term and seeking reelection. Senate District 9 spans north and northwest Fort Worth, including Keller, Southlake, North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Hurst, Haslet, and White Settlement.
The campaign has been marked by high-dollar spending, with both Huffman and Wambsganss receiving significant funding from billionaires. Mailers have attacked each other’s campaigns, criticizing Huffman for not being conservative enough or Wambsganss as insincere on GOP talking points.
Rehmet has run a low-budget campaign, focusing on workers’ rights, public education, and affordable housing. His endorsements include several Democrats on Fort Worth City Council and Tarrant County Commissioners. In contrast, Huffman’s campaign emphasized lowering property taxes, improving infrastructure, and expanding school choice. Wambsganss has focused on her endorsement from President Trump, with priorities including lower property taxes, investing in public safety, and border security.
The election is a crucial test of the district’s conservative leanings, as Republicans have represented the area since 1991. With polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, voters can still cast their ballots if they haven’t already done so.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/04/tarrant-voters-weigh-2-republicans-1-democrat-for-texas-senate-election