Gov. Greg Abbott sets date for Senate District 9 runoff election in North Texas

The runoff election to fill North Texas’ Senate District 9 is set for Jan. 31, Gov. Greg Abbott’s office announced Monday.

Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss advanced to the runnoff to fill the North Texas district following a Nov. 4 special election. The seat is vacant after former Sen. Kelly Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican, left for the Texas Comptroller’s office, where he currently serves as acting comptroller.

Early voting starts Jan. 21 and runs through Jan. 27.

Rehmet, a union leader and aircraft mechanic, was the top vote getter in the first round of voting, winning nearly 48% of the votes in the district, despite its being a historically Republican seat. Wambsganss, Patriot Mobile’s chief communication officer, got the second most votes— about 36%. Former Southlake Mayor John Huffman did not advance to the runoff.

The Tarrant County district includes much of Northwest Tarrant County, including part of Fort Worth and suburban communities like Southlake, Keller and North Richland Hills.

This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM.