Fort Worth area voter’s guide: State Senate District 9 candidates
Voters will pick a new senator to represent Senate District 9 in a Nov. 4 special election.
The election comes after Sen. Kelly Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican, resigned to serve as acting comptroller. Three candidates have filed for the election to fill the vacant seat. The winner will serve for the remainder of Hancock’s term. Win or lose, candidates will have to run for the seat again in the 2026 primaries and, if they advance, the general election.
The Tarrant County-based Senate district includes Blue Mound, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, Lake Worth, Lakeside, North Richland Hills, Pelican Bay, Richland Hills, river Oaks, Saginaw, Samson Park, Watuga, Westlake, Westover Hills, Westworth Village and White Settlement. Among other communities, it also includes much of Azle, Bedford, Benbrook, Briar, Fort Worth, Pecan Acres and Southlake.
In person early voting starts on Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31.
Here’s who is running for the North Texas seat.
Taylor Rehmet
Political Party: Democratic
Age: 33
Campaign website: TaylorforTX.com
Best way for voters to reach you: info@taylorfortx.com
Occupation: Aircraft Mechanic
Education: High School, United States Air Force
Have you run for elected office before?
No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism:
United States Air Force Veteran. President, IAM Local 776. President, IAM State Chapter (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union). Vice President, Texas AFL-CIO, IAM.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
I previously owned a small business and was the plaintiff in a civil suit against a former client. The court ruled in my favor, I was awarded judgment, and the matter is fully resolved. I have never filed or been involved in any bankruptcy proceedings.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
I am honored to have top support from my union, IAM International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union), Mr. Tomas Torres and if you’ll allow me a personal note, the contribution that means the most to me came from my parents. They worked their entire lives to put food on the table and clothes on my back, and because of their hard work, they were able to contribute $1,000 to this campaign. I know so many families don’t have that opportunity, which is exactly why I’m running. To build a Texas where hard work is rewarded, opportunity is accessible, and every parent can give their kids a fair shot at the future.
Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running for Texas Senate because I want a Texas that’s affordable, fair, and rooted in common sense. Working families in SD9 deserve a senator who fights for them, not for the rich and powerful or political extremists. As a union president and veteran, I know what it takes to lead, solve problems, and deliver results that make life better for everyday Texans. I have the know-how and the heart to lead, but recognize I am far from the expert in every field. When elected, I will welcome teachers, nurses, first responders, small business owners, and community advocates into the process. We have so many Texans already doing the work. My job will be to lift their voices on the Senate floor and make sure our state government works for them. I’m running to take on the tough fights, stand up to the powerful, and put the legislature back to work for the people who keep this state running.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
First, we must get serious about affordability. Families are being crushed by rising property taxes, increasing rents, higher insurance rates and too many are being priced out of the communities they call home. I’ll work to rein in costs, strengthen protections for homeowners and tenants, and make sure every Texan can count on stable, affordable housing. Second, we must fully fund our public schools and make Texas a national leader in teacher pay. Our kids deserve safe classrooms, smaller class sizes, and the best teachers we can give them. That starts with respecting educators and paying them like the professionals they are. Finally, I will champion the dignity of work. As a union president, I’ve fought to raise wages, improve safety on the job, and protect working families. And I’ll do the same when elected. We need policies that ensure every Texan can earn a living wage, support their family, and retire with security.
What are the biggest challenges facing Senate District 9? How would you address them?
North Tarrant families are feeling squeezed from every direction from rising property taxes, skyrocketing housing costs, predatory toll road pricing, and a legislature more focused on culture wars than solving real problems. Recently, we’ve seen reckless attempts to split Keller ISD for political gain, threatening to further destabilize our public schools.
I’ll focus on bringing costs down and putting working-people first. That means delivering sweeping property tax relief, reining in toll road abuse, and fully funding public schools so every child has a fair shot at success. And I’ll put an end to corporate welfare by making sure companies that get tax breaks actually create good-paying, livable-wage jobs with transparency and accountability every step of the way.
How will you measure your success as a state legislator?
If the rich and powerful are frustrated and working families are thriving, I’ll know I’ve done my job.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I’m the only candidate who can say my entire career has been about fighting for working people, not pandering to political extremes. Whether it was during my time in the Air Force working on B-52 bombers making sure my line crews and pilots had what they needed to complete the mission, or as a union president sitting at the bargaining table and going toe-to-toe to win fair pay and protect workers’ rights, I’ve always show up for regular folks just trying to make ends meet. I’ll work to bring down the cost of living, expand access to health care, make sure veterans are afforded the dignity they deserve all while protecting our everyday freedoms from government overreach. This race is about who will put people over politics and special interest.
Win or lose in November 2025, are you running for SD-9 in the 2026 midterm elections? Why or why not?
Yes. Win, lose or draw, I plan to run again in 2026. If I walk away now, we leave the fight half-finished. Every ballot cast, every door knocked, every voice raised in this campaign is part of building something bigger. I’m in this for the long haul because our kids, our schools, our neighbors depend on someone who won’t quit when the path gets hard.
What is one thing you wish lawmakers would have done during the regular and special sessions that did not happen? Why?
I wish lawmakers had focused on the basic, bipartisan solutions that actually improve Texans daily lives. During the regular session, I testified in support of HB1078 by Rep. Chris Turner. HB1078 was a simple, low-cost bill that would allow the Texas Workforce Commission to print and distribute posters explaining how veterans can access their benefits. Another bipartisan bill, HB 1042 by Rep. Salman Bhojani, would have made it easier for homeless Texans to get an ID, the first step to finding work, housing, and stability. Both died in committee. Instead of advancing these common-sense solutions, the Republican-led legislature wasted precious time (and tax-payer dollars) on culture wars and political theater. And during the special sessions, the priority should have been delivering relief to Kerr County and the Hill Country after the devastating July floods, not scoring points and rigging maps in partisan fights. It’s time politicians stop chasing headlines and start doing the work.
What should the Texas Legislature do, if anything, to respond to and prepare for population growth in North Texas?
North Texas is growing fast and we can’t afford to play catch-up. The legislature needs to take a serious, long-term approach to infrastructure planning that keeps pace with the needs of our communities. That means investing in strong public transportation networks, upgrading roads and utilities, and supporting smart city planning that avoids sprawl and traffic gridlock. We also need to make sure growth serves everyone by ensuring that every neighborhood has access to grocery stores, healthcare, schools, and other essentials. Growth done right means building thriving, connected communities where families can live, work, and play without spending hours stuck in traffic or paying predatory toll prices just to move. Smart growth isn’t just good policy, it’s how we keep North Texas a place people want to call home.
What should the Texas Legislature do, if anything, to address the state’s hemp and THC product industry?
The legislature should stop playing morality police and start governing responsibly. The hemp and THC industry is an $8-billion-a-year sector supporting more than 50,000 Texas jobs. Instead of trying to ban it outright, we should put in place common-sense regulation, clear permitting processes, and fair taxation.The same way we do for alcohol. That protects consumers, keeps products out of kids hands, and gives law enforcement the tools they need without wiping out farmers and small businesses overnight. Texans don’t want fear-driven bans. They want a government that respects personal freedom while keeping the marketplace safe and fair. Banning these products won’t make anyone safer. It will just destroy jobs, gut local economies, and push the industry underground. And Dan Patrick? He’s the biggest buzzkill in Texas. Which is rich considering how much campaign cash he’s taken from Big Alcohol over the years.
What should the Texas Legislature do, if anything, to rein in property taxes and housing costs?
We must reduce over-reliance on local property taxes by raising the state’s share of school funding so districts can keep rates down year after year. When the state steps up, homeowners and renters feel it. We need a lasting commitment to school-tax compression tied to sustainable state revenue so families aren’t punished every budget cycle.
Relief should be targeted to cap property taxes as a share of income and offer equivalent credits to renters, who pay property taxes through rent. Stop gimmicks like hard appraisal caps that just shift the burden to others and drive up housing costs. On housing, pair supply with stability: streamline permitting and infrastructure to build near jobs and transit, and back it up with tenant-stability tools like right-to-counsel pilots and eviction-prevention programs. We can lower tax bills, keep teachers teaching, fund our first responders, and protect the roof over every Texan’s head without shifting costs to the next family in line.
Do you support Texas’ mid-decade congressional redistricting? Why or why not?
No. Mid-decade redistricting is a power grab that destabilizes representation, burns taxpayer dollars on lawsuits, and keeps Austin from doing its actual job. It invites a national arms race where precedent will establish other states to keep redrawing maps to outmaneuver each other for power rather than working for the people. Texas should establish an independent redistricting commission that sets clear criteria to keep communities together, complies with the Voting Rights Act, and maximizes transparency while prohibiting mid-decade map changes except to comply with court orders. Then, we need to get back to work on the priorities families actually feel like property-tax relief that lasts, veterans’ services, funding teachers and schools, health care access, and public-safety solutions.
What’s a Texas policy issue that’s important to you, but not necessarily as high profile? Why do you think it’s important?
Not every great Texas career starts on a college campus. Mine didn’t. Our economy depends on plumbers, electricians, welders, machinists, and other skilled trades. We should make it possible for students to graduate career-ready, with the hours and experience they need to sit for certifications and step straight into paid apprenticeships or good jobs. My Texas Career Ready Guarantee plan will align high-school CTE with employer demand, expand paid youth apprenticeships starting junior year, and cover exam fees and starter tools in priority trades so cost isn’t a barrier. We’ll modernize labs and workshops through school district–community college partnerships and track outcomes like credential attainment, placement, and wages. This is a work-first, no-cost path that gives young Texans a dignified way to build a life here at home and keeps Texas’ businesses staffed with the talent they need.
Leigh Wambsganss
Political Party: Republican
Age: 58
Campaign website: www.leighfortexas.com
Best way for voters to reach you: info@leighfortexas.com
Occupation: Executive and Business Owner
Education: B.A. Communications - University of Central Oklahoma and M.A. Organizational Managment - Dallas Baptist University
Have you run for elected office before?
I was a Tarrant County Precinct Chair for approx. 20 years, which is an elected office, but I never had an opponent.
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism.
20-year TCGOP Precinct Chair, state delegate, and founder of Republican Women of North Texas, I worked with legislators on Texas power grid reform, defended 2A rights, and advanced the Texas Women’s Privacy Act. As a pro-life leader with Mercy House Ministries, Life Chain, and GRACE Gala, I currently serve on the CRC board, providing aid to 20,000 people monthly. I have a proven record of fighting for families, conservative issues, and Texas values.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Yes. In an effort to intimidate me, I was frivolously sued by a candidate after I exposed the truth of his criminal record. The case was dismissed, and the person who sued me had to pay my attorney’s fees in full. This is the same fight for truth I will bring to the Texas Senate.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
James Wilkinson, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Texans for a Conservative Majority
Why are you seeking this office?
I have dedicated my adult life to championing conservative policy and legislation; leading grassroots movements, advancing pro-life and Second Amendment causes, protecting parental rights, lowering taxes, school safety and advocating for domestic energy. I will continue that work in the Texas Senate.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
- Lowering property taxes
- Public safety including border security & supporting our first responders
- Education
What are the biggest challenges facing Senate District 9? How would you address them?
Property taxes are the top concern. Texans need relief through increased Homestead Exemption and Compression. Public safety and border security are also priorities. Texas must prepare for a post-Trump presidency and protect our borders. I will continue supporting Operation Lone Star and ensure first responders have the resources they need.
How will you measure your success as a state legislator?
By delivering tangible results on the issues of concern to the voters like property tax relief, enhanced border security, support for our first responders, and ensuring we are meeting the public education needs of all Texas students.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I am seeking to represent the district because I believe public service is a calling. It shouldn’t be another rung on a political ladder. My experience is vastly more diverse than just one city. I am a battle tested conservative that has gotten results for many decades. I believe the voters will see that my experience, qualifications and credentials make me the best suited to serve Senate District 9.
Win or lose in November 2025, are you running for SD-9 in the 2026 midterm elections? Why or why not?
I am running to represent the people of SD9 in the Texas Senate. This Special Election is just the first race – I intend to be a candidate in the 2026 GOP Primary and if Republican voters choose me, I will be on the ballot in November.
What is one thing you wish lawmakers would have done during the regular and special sessions that did not happen? Why?
There were several disappointments, but the failure to pass comprehensive bail reform to keep dangerous individuals off the streets and hold judges accountable for allowing them to be free to commit more crimes while awaiting trial is among the most consequential.
What should the Texas Legislature do, if anything, to respond to and prepare for population growth in North Texas?
Take positive steps to ensure we have the robust infrastructure to accommodate the growth, including; a reliable electric grid, mobility solutions to carry people and commerce, water for residential, commercial and agricultural use, and keeping SD9 communities safe by ensuring our southern border is secure and first responders have the tools they need.
What should the Texas Legislature do, if anything, to address the state’s hemp and THC product industry?
THC is a powerful drug that should not be available on every street corner. It should be available to those who can benefit from it while under the care and supervision of a physician.
What should the Texas Legislature do, if anything, to rein in property taxes and housing costs?
Government must control their insatiable appetite for spending. Government cannot be all things to all people. The Texas Legislature has made progress with increases in the homestead exemption and rate compression, but more can be done.
Do you support Texas’ mid-decade congressional redistricting? Why or why not?
Yes. Changes in population warrant the redistricting. Ensuring Texans have a voice in Washington is a worthy goal.
What’s a Texas policy issue that’s important to you, but not necessarily as high profile? Why do you think it’s important?
Texas failed to pass the 2A civil liability bill (SB1730) that would protect citizens wrongfully sued civilly, who have been proven in a court of law that their use of force was legal and justified. These frivolous and politically motivated lawsuits that violate Second Amendment rights can go on for years and financially devastate law abiding citizens. No Texan should be financially devastated simply for defending their life.
John Huffman
Political Party: Republican
Age: 42
Campaign website: johnhuffman.com
Best way for voters to reach you: johnhuffman.com or x.com/johnrhuffman
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Education: Post grad (J.D. from Georgetown Law)
Have you run for elected office before?
Yes - Southlake City Council 2015 (won), 2016 (won), 2019 (won); Southlake Mayor 2021 (won); US Congress, CD26 2024 (lost)
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism.
Mayor of Southlake; Governor-appointed member of Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; various local boards and commissions; coach of many baseball and basketball teams; deacon at First Baptist Grapevine; proud volunteer for many local organizations and clubs
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No, except for a few nuisance value litigation proceedings from which I was quickly dismissed
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Complete information on my campaign finances can be found on the Texas Ethics Commission Website.
Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking this office because SD-9 deserves a proven, battle-tested leader to step into the shoes of Senator Kelly Hancock who left this seat to become Acting Comptroller. My experience as Mayor of Southlake and proven record of conservative victories - including lowering property taxes, standing for our police and firefighters, supporting school choice and parental empowerment, and many other wins - have prepared me to be an effective senator for SD-9 from day one.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1. Greatly reducing or eliminating property taxes on homesteads; 2. teach all kids and fully fund public schools; increase and enhance public safety and border security
What are the biggest challenges facing Senate District 9? How would you address them?
One of the greatest challenges for families in Senate District 9 is the crushing weight of property taxes. Even after recent relief efforts, too many homeowners feel like they’re still renting from the government. We must move toward eliminating property taxes on homesteads, starting with much larger exemptions and greater oversight of local government spending. Texans deserve to truly own their homes, not face endlessly rising tax bills.
Families also want strong public schools that prepare kids for the future. At the same time, no child should be stuck in a failing school because of their zip code. The challenge is to fully fund our schools while also empowering parents with choices, supporting teachers, and ensuring dollars reach the classroom.
Finally, safety is at the top of the list. In SD9, we face rising concerns about crime and a wide-open border. We must fully fund law enforcement, secure the border, and crack down on cartels so Texans can thrive in safe communities.
How will you measure your success as a state legislator?
I will measure success not by how many bills I pass, but by how much better the lives of Texans become. If families in Senate District 9 feel relief from crushing property taxes, if parents know their children are getting the education they deserve, and if communities are safer because we’ve backed law enforcement and secured the border—then I’ve done my job. Success also means keeping SD-9 the very best place in the country to live, raise a family, and start a business. My goal is simple: make it easier for Texans to thrive, build, and live the American dream.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I have a proven, battle-tested record of delivering conservative results when it counted most. As mayor of Southlake, I led during times of intense political and cultural conflict—and we won. We cut property tax rates below the effective rate multiple times, expanded public safety programs like our School Resource Officer initiative, and defended our schools and community from the wave of cultural Marxism being pushed across the country. These weren’t abstract victories; they were real wins that protected families, strengthened schools, and kept our community safe. I’ve been tested, I’ve delivered, and I’m ready to do it again for all of Senate District 9.
Win or lose in November 2025, are you running for SD-9 in the 2026 midterm elections? Why or why not?
Yes. The voters of SD-9 deserve to have choices in their elections. I intend to give them the choice.
What is one thing you wish lawmakers would have done during the regular and special sessions that did not happen? Why?
One thing I wish lawmakers had gone further on this past session is property tax relief and long-term infrastructure investment. The Legislature made progress, but Texans in SD9 still feel the crushing weight of property taxes, and I believe we must take bolder steps toward eliminating them on homesteads so families can truly own their homes. At the same time, our future prosperity depends on smart infrastructure—strengthening the grid with nuclear power options, and securing long-term water resources with expanded state investment. These are not partisan issues; they’re about building a Texas that’s stronger, more affordable, and prepared for the future.
What should the Texas Legislature do, if anything, to respond to and prepare for population growth in North Texas?
North Texas is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and that growth is both a blessing and a challenge. The Legislature needs to ensure our infrastructure keeps pace so that families and businesses can continue to thrive here. That means strengthening the power grid with forward-looking solutions like nuclear energy, making significant investments in future water supplies, and prioritizing smart transportation improvements that ease congestion. It also means reducing the property tax burden so Texans aren’t priced out of their homes as growth accelerates. With the right policies, we can keep SD-9 the best place to live, raise a family, and start a business.
What should the Texas Legislature do, if anything, to address the state’s hemp and THC product industry?
Here’s my position: the Legislature should codify Governor Abbott’s GA-56 framework so we protect kids, give law enforcement clear tools, and provide a predictable market for lawful adult products.
Specifically, I support putting into statute: (1) age verification and child-safety rules—no sales to minors, no kid-targeted marketing/packaging, and mandatory ID scans at purchase; (2) sensitive-place limits—no retail within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, playgrounds, shelters, or treatment facilities, with local-option authority; (3) product safety standards—ban synthetic cannabinoids and alcohol/kratom mixes, set potency caps per serving and per package in milligrams, and require testing from harvest to shelf; and (4) real enforcement.
What should the Texas Legislature do, if anything, to rein in property taxes and housing costs?
The Legislature must take bold action to rein in property taxes and housing costs if Texas is going to remain the best place in the country to live, raise a family, and start a business. First, we need to dramatically increase the homestead exemption—to $500,000—so families can truly own their homes. To fund this responsibly, Texas should continue shifting toward sales taxes, which spread the burden more fairly and grow with the economy.
At the same time, we must stop out-of-state investment companies from buying up entire single-family neighborhoods and driving up costs for Texans. One way to do that is by assessing higher property taxes on bulk investors while protecting local homeowners.
Finally, we should incentivize good development across Texas—development that focuses on middle-class homeownership instead of arbitrary lot-size requirements that make homes unaffordable. And we must do this while maintaining local control, so communities—not bureaucrats—shape how they grow.
Do you support Texas’ mid-decade congressional redistricting? Why or why not?
Yes I do. Texans should have the opportunity to have a congressional delegation that reflects its leadership.
What’s a Texas policy issue that’s important to you, but not necessarily as high profile? Why do you think it’s important?
One issue that doesn’t always grab headlines but is absolutely critical for Texas is the long-term stability of our power grid. Texans learned the hard way in 2021 that our energy system is vulnerable, and while some progress has been made, we cannot wait until the next crisis to act. I believe we need to double down on reliable sources—expanding oil and gas production, which is the backbone of our economy, while also investing in small modular nuclear reactors that can provide safe, clean, and steady power for decades to come. If we fail to plan ahead, families and businesses in Texas will pay the price. Strengthening the grid now ensures our lights stay on, our economy keeps growing, and Texas remains energy dominant for generations.