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January 31, 2026 10:47 PM

Texas Democrats stun Republicans with upset victory in Tarrant County special election

Shockwaves emanating from the Metroplex: As Lt. Gov. Patrick argued last week, this is the first signal in 2026 that national Democrats could make a significant investment in Texas ahead of the November election; President Trump was trying to boost Wambsganss online while it sounds like the DNC was under the radar helping Rehmet

FORT WORTH – “At least it could have been at a nicer restaurant,” grumbled a downtrodden Republican activist on his way out of the election watch party held for Patriot Mobile executive Leigh Wambsganss Saturday night as supporters of her bid for Texas Senate began to trickle out just as the results were coming in.

Just after 10:30pm, Wambsganss seemed to concede for now, telling the crowd “We’ll be back in November.”

Though it might prove to only be symbolic, a Democrat appears on his way to representing northeast Tarrant County in the Legislature’s upper chamber for the first time since the 1980s. And as top Republicans including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and President Donald Trump himself had warned during early voting, the apparent upset victory of Democrat Taylor Rehmet is the first signal to national Democrats that this state could be in play if the minority party makes a significant financial investment in the US Senate race here this fall.

Rehmet’s campaign wasn’t ready to declare victory yet at his watch party, but just before 11:30 pm the Associated Press called the race for the Democrat.

It’s a battle that played out in its final days on the icy streets of Fort Worth and had some Republicans questioning why Gov. Greg Abbott didn’t call the runoff in December, which wouldn’t have given Democrats as much time to organize and get out the vote for their candidate.

Just last week, some Republican candidates for other offices around the Metroplex were talking more about this special election than their own races and describing the campaign in Cowtown as an “all hands on deck” moment.

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By Scott Braddock

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January 31, 2026 10:08 PM

The Associated Press calls it: Christian Menefee defeats Amanda Edwards in CD 18 special election in Houston

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January 31, 2026 7:30 PM

In Tarrant County special election, Democrat Rehmet leads Republican Wambsganss 56 to 44 in early vote

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January 30, 2026 3:02 PM

People on the Move

New lobby gigs, association news, advocacy, and a well-deserved recognition of a Texas icon

This is about the time that grizzled veterans of Texas campaigns start to say things like “well, this one’s basically over.”

Not quite yet but it’s true the 30-day campaign finance reports are due to come out next week – reporter James Russell will have complete coverage, of course – and candidates in competitive or spirited-but-not-necessarily-competitive races are back on the thawed out streets, knocking on doors, and talking with voters to shore up support ahead of March 3.

Here in Austin, some of the names and faces you know all too well announced new career moves this week to tell you about. There’s also a well-deserved recognition coming up stemming from the tragedy of the Hill Country flooding.

When you have career news to share with the Texas Capitol community, it’s become common knowledge that the Texas Capitol community hasn’t really been informed about it until the scoop is in the pages of Quorum Report. But it only works when you let me know what’s happening. Thanks so much for doing so week in and week out. If there’s news to share – it doesn’t have to be yours – send it anytime to ksbraddock@gmail.com and use POTM in the subject line for the fastest service.

Here’s the latest edition of People on the Move.

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By Scott Braddock

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January 30, 2026 2:23 PM

Patrick unveils first round of interim charges including his proposals on property taxes

Here’s the initial list.

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