Winter storm casts cloud over Fort Worth Senate race; candidates urge early vote
Senate District 9 candidates are encouraging their supporters to get out and vote early, as winter weather casts a cloud over a race where voter turnout is already pivotal.
Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss are in a runoff for the North Texas Senate district, after advancing from a special election in November as the top two vote-getters. Early voting began Wednesday and runs through Jan. 27. The winner will replace Kelly Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican who left the Capitol to lead the Texas Comptroller’s Office. Election Day is Jan. 31.
The district covers much of the eastern and northern parts of Tarrant County. Freezing rain, sleet and snow are expected over the weekend.
In what is expected to be a low turnout election in which every vote counts, candidates are urging voters to cast their ballots sooner rather than later. Republicans are hoping to keep the seat red, while Democrats would like to see it flip blue, after Rehmet emerged from the November election with the most votes overall.
SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson notes that runoff elections tend to have a lower turnout than primary and general elections. When you throw in the possibility of snow and ice, it can be expected that people who might have otherwise turned out will be dissuaded, he said.
The problem is, it’s unclear which voters are most likely to stay home as a result.
“Generally you assume that people deeply committed to their party will turn out under almost any circumstances, and the less deeply committed would be the ones that might be dissuaded, but you never know,” Jillson said. “It certainly does throw unpredictability into the election.”
It’s hard to imagine a scenario where the bad weather aids one candidate and hurts another, Jillson said.
“It could certainly affect turnout, but whether it advantages one candidate over the other, I think, is much more difficult to say,” he said.
Even with the bad weather and January election date, TCU political science professor Jim Riddlesperger expects to see “a pretty healthy turnout” for the runoff.
“The Democrats are excited, and the Republicans are scared,” he said, also noting that race is being watch nationally in a Wednesday interview.
Anytime there’s bad weather, some voters are discouraged, he said.
“But I think it’s less so in these high profile elections than it would be in others, and I think that the people who are going to be voting this time are going to be voting with a purpose,” Riddlesperger said.
Wambsganss noted the novelty of a January election in a Wednesday statement.
“Winter weather in north Texas is nothing new, but a Special Election Runoff in January is,” Wambsganss said. “The conservative majority of voters in SD9 are a hearty group. Weather will not keep them from turning out in this important election. We are fully engaged in our voter turnout program.”
A video posted on Facebook Wednesday shows the Republican candidate outside in a light coat and jacket, blue skies above.
“I just voted, and it is a beautiful day,” she said. “Actually, I’m a little bit warm in my overcoat.”
She reminds North Texans of the early voting dates .
“But don’t wait,” Wambsganss said. “Because we have that potential severe weather headed this way. So get your vote counted. Get it cast by Friday before this weather comes in.”
Rehmet shared a similar message with his supporters on Facebook, reminding them to “get your vote in before the freeze.”
Rehmet also noted the frosty weather in a campaign finance blast on Facebook, shared before an upcoming fundraising deadline. He told voters: “Because of the upcoming freeze this weekend, we’re pivoting our outreach to keep reaching voters safely. Can you help us raise $5,000 before midnight so we don’t lose momentum?”
In Thursday statement, Rehmet said his campaign is keeping a “close eye” on whether conditions as early voting starts. He thanked those who will be on the front lines as the weather sweeps through and encouraged people to pay attention to local and state guidance and check in on each other as the storm develops.
“We all remember how devastating Winter Storm Uri was in 2021,” Rehmet said. “It touched every corner of our state and every community. It’s a reminder of how quickly winter storms can become serious and that we cannot stop looking for ways to improve our grid and energy resilience for moments like this. My first priority is ensuring my team and our volunteers are safe. We’re encouraging voters to cast their ballots as early as possible this week before the weather worsens over the weekend. Elections matter but nothing is more important than public safety.”
More information about polling locations and hours is available on the Tarrant County Election Administration website.
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 2:41 PM.
