Taylor Rehmet sworn into Texas Senate District 9 after runoff upset. What now?
Taylor Rehmet — the Democrat who got national attention after successfully flipping a historically red district — is officially North Texas’ newest state senator.
The union leader and mechanic was sworn into office on Thursday at the Texas Capitol in Austin. Rehmet won a Jan. 31 special election for Senate District 9 against Republican Leigh Wambsganss, who had the support of President Donald Trump and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Rehmet and Wambsganss’ are set for a rematch in the November midterm election.
Rehmet will serve as senator for a little less than a year, as he finishes out the remainder of former Sen. Kelly Hancock’s term. The North Richland Hills Republican left the Capitol for the Texas Comptroller’s office in June. The winner of the November election takes office in January for a full, four year term representing the district that spans northern and western Tarrant County.
Rehmet said he felt “deep gratitude” as he officially took office in Austin, surrounded by friends and family.
“It’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life,” Rehmet said.
Rehmet is the first Democrat since 1983 to represent the district, according to his office. At 33, he’s also the youngest member of the Texas Senate.
“When the people of Texas sent me here, they asked for a chance at a future they can be proud of,” Rehmet said in a statement. “A future where a good job can build a good life. Where a child’s path is determined solely by their effort. Where communities are safe, schools are supported, and opportunity is close enough to touch. They sent me here believing tomorrow can be better than today. I accept that responsibility with humility and with absolute confidence in what we can accomplish together.”
The Texas Legislature doesn’t convene until Jan. 12, which means the Senate will not be in session while Rehmet finishes out the year.
Rehmet said he’s working to get his offices in Austin and in North Texas set up so they can provide constituent services. He’s also still a candidate and balancing his day job at Lockheed Martin and union leadership roles, as the president of the state and a local chapter of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union.
It’s been months since constituents had representation in the Senate, Rehmet said.
“I need to make sure that people feel represented in their state Senate,” he said. “That’s my first and best commitment right now. I haven’t thought much about the campaign side, right now. I mean, that will come in time, but I’m laser focused on delivering for Senate District 9.”
Rehmet’s union background was a key feature of his campaign, much of which focused on supporting working Texans.
“He brings the voice of the shop floor to the State Capitol and understands firsthand the challenges workers face because he’s lived them,” IAM Union International President Brian Bryant said in a statement. “His leadership proves that union members are not only building our economy, they are shaping its future and advancing policies that strengthen working families and communities across Texas.”
Senate committees typically hold interim committee hearings ahead of the next legislative session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s interim charges thus far include property tax cuts, preventing “sharia law” in Texas, preventing fraud and abuse in Medicaid and child care service programs, and evaluating the security and integrity of Texas’ supply chain and infrastructure.
Rehmet said he has not received committee assignments.
Rehmets plans to spend his time as a senator in North Texas not Austin, focusing on meeting with constituents, holding town halls and visiting worksites, small businesses, schools and hospitals, he said in a Star-Telegram candidate questionnaire.
“Good legislation starts with listening,” Rehmet said at the time. “I’ll use my year to build bipartisan relationships, study the issues that matter most to working families, and draft serious, ready-to-file legislation so that when the gavel drops in 2027, we’re prepared to move immediately.”
Rehmet also previously told the Star-Telegram he’d like to see state lawmakers prioritize an interim study on the expansion of data centers in Texas.
“An interim study would give lawmakers the data to set smart guardrails ensuring data centers pay their fair share, protect local resources and farmers while meaningfully investing in the communities they operate in,” Rehmet said. “Growth should lift Texans up not leave them footing the bill for someone else’s profits.”
