In the November election for North Texas ‘ state Senate District 9, a special election runoff was held to fill the seat that former state senator Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills ) vacated.
Democrat Taylor Rehmet prevailed in January by about a 14 percent percentage over Republican Leigh Wambsganss. With a Texas Partisan Index of R-60 %, SD 9 has historically been a Republican-held seat.
The two are running suddenly to fill the seats for the 90th Texas Legislature.
Between July 1 and September 24, Wambsganss raised more than$ 1.2 million and spent about$ 975, 000 of it, according to the most recent fundraising reports. She had some large contributors, including Texans for Lawsuit Reform, which gave her$ 500, 000, and Texans United for a Conservative Majority, which contributed$ 100, 000.
Rehmet reported spending about$ 154, 000 and reporting efforts of about$ 192, 000 during the same time. Among Rehmet’s donors are the Fair Shot Texas PAC and Daniel Cocanougher with THG Energy Solutions.
Democrats have been touting Rehmet’s victory as a bellwether in the run-up to the November midterm elections, where they hope to win more votes. Democrats have been targeting Texas, and particularly Tarrant County, to try to regain a grip in the position that has been considered a Democratic stronghold since the early 1990s.
The Texan contacted both candidates to inquire about problems and activities. The following are their reactions, quietly edited.
Since the unique vote in January, how have the problems you see voters serious changed? What are the best three problems that you are hearing voters talk about as you plan around the area?
Rehmet: Because of the problems I hear from citizens, things haven’t changed. The difference is that in last year’s election and the runoff, I was asking people to believe me to do the work. They can then choose whether I’ve earned a total term and how I’ve served them. People are still struggling with rising expenses, property taxes, and care, and they want solid public schools.
They can see how I’ve incorporated their concerns into a solid legislative framework that lowers prices, improves access to public education, and guarantees advancement for working Texans.
Wambsganss: The considerable excitement space facing Republicans has tightened, and we are unifying in extraordinary fashion as voters are seeing the extraordinary voting records and agenda of the left for themselves. Losing Texas do have long-lasting effects on the country’s political landscape. People tell me they’re working harder than ever and still falling behind.
Cost of living ( groceries, gas, insurance premiums, and property tax bills ), education ( parents want strong public schools, safe classrooms, and real control over their children’s education ), public safety ( people want safe streets, secure borders, and traffic gridlock and prudent guardrails on data centers ), and other factors that I hear most frequently at the door are:
In the January unique election, the Keller ISD request to possibly split the area into two regions appeared to play a big role with voters. A relationship package is currently on the ballot for the Keller ISD school board, along with several available positions in this election. What is your place on the relationship bundle, and do you see it playing a role in this election for the Senate?
Rehmet: Relationship plans like those in Keller ISD reflect the state’s insufficient funding for public education, leaving school regions and local governments to make up the difference. My proposals to improve the standard allotment, link future increases to inflation, and shift from attendance-based to enrollment-based funding would address these structural shortcomings and lower property taxes by ensuring local taxpayers aren’t continually forced to shoulder the burden of keeping their schools running.
Wambsganss: SD9 has a large number of local decisions based on multiple ballots, including more than 14 full or partial school districts. Those ballot methods typically increase voter participation. I have my eyes on the state’s upcoming election, and I’m relying on local citizens to give me some advice.
Affordability and the market seem to be on the minds of many citizens. What strategies do you have for addressing this issue in the Texas Senate?
Rehmet: I recently released my” A Texas You Can Afford” plan, outlining practical ideas to reduce daily fees for Texans. The plan also includes enforcing a substantial property tax relief by boosting the state’s funding for public education, preventing extreme premium increases for health insurance, and outlawing dynamic pricing at grocery stores.
It also tackles hidden apartment rental fees, expands care support for families transitioning between jobs, and protects consumers from AI-driven price discrimination in housing and health insurance.
These regulations are intended to provide real relief, shield Texans from unfair treatment, and enable families to keep more of their hard-earned money.
Wambsganss: The Texas Senate can’t set the price of beef or gas, but my plan can lower many of your biggest bills: insurance: Cut the mandates and red tape that drive up home, health, and auto premiums, housing: speed up permitting and scrap needless regulations that add thousands to every new home, property taxes: have the state take over school maintenance and operation taxes, wiping out the biggest tax most Texas families pay, utilities: put guardrails in place to stop rising electric bills, and jobs: keep Texas the best place to grow a business and find a good-paying job.
What are your plans to help with the November vote, given that Senate District 9 has historically been a strong Republican majority in Texas Senate?
Rehmet: My job is to serve the people of this district, no matter whether they vote Republican, Democrat, independent, or otherwise. By listening, being open to what I’m trying to say, and explaining what I’m trying to accomplish, I’m working hard to win people’s votes. I don’t expect every voter to agree with me on every issue, but I want them to know I’ll take their concerns seriously and work to solve them.
Wambsganss: We’ve knocked on over 65, 000 swing voter doors in the most aggressive campaign this district has ever seen. I’m out every day walking doors, making calls, and sitting down with families in their living rooms to hear what keeps them up at night.
Republicans are united, and we’re utilizing every tool at our disposal to consolidate the base. Beyond that base, we’re reaching independents, young families, and anyone who feels forgotten, with a positive, disciplined message and a relentless get-out-the-vote operation. Every vote I cast is counted on, and I’m working very hard to earn every single one.
Do you support state Rep. Vikki Goodwin’s (D-Austin ) health care proposal? If so, kindly explain why you support him. If not, please explain why.
Rehmet: Regardless of who or where the idea originated, I’m willing to back any plan that provides access to quality, affordable healthcare for the residents of SD 9 and the state’s residents.
My priority is putting patients first, lowering costs, and ensuring families can get the care they need without worrying about how they’ll afford it. In order to increase access to affordable care, I concur that we must return our federal tax dollars to Texas. If Texans are already paying into a program, we should be making sure those dollars are working for our Texas communities.
Wambsganss: Although Ms. Goodwin’s proposed health care plan is unfamiliar, I would assume that it echoes my Democratic opponent’s stated goal to establish a universal, single-payer, government-mandated program, which has proven to be harmful to everyday working families who are most in need.
What I do support is cracking down on healthcare waste, fraud, and abuse to help lower premiums, keeping medical decisions between the doctor and the patient, fewer insurance mandates, flexibility in consumer options, true price transparency, and real provider choice.
Residents of the surrounding area have voiced numerous concerns about the planned Westlake center, which is located near Keller. What regulations, if any, would you vote for at the state level?
Rehmet: Working families or our communities shouldn’t suffer as a result of the rapid expansion of AI data centers. I support requiring data centers to pay for the electricity, water, and infrastructure their projects demand, rather than shifting those costs onto Texans.
Additionally, we need to reevaluate the tax breaks offered to these businesses, which account for more than$ 1 billion in annual revenue for our state. We should also strengthen local control by revisiting the” Death Star” bill ( House Bill 2127 ), which limits cities and counties ‘ authority to make their own decisions regarding data center development in their own backyards.
Wambsganss: I back Governor Wambsganss. Greg Abbott’s and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s position calls for a complete moratorium on all new construction and permitting. Before that moratorium is lifted, we need guardrails placed in law.
First, there are no tax exemptions. Any project should supply its own electricity without impacting local rates or grid capacity for our citizens, use cooling systems like” closed loop” that minimize water use and protect our natural resources, and, finally, ensure site selection is done with proper local input, addressing negative impacts on neighboring properties.
Often, it’s impossible to anticipate every issue before the Texas Senate. How would you describe your view of the proper role of state government?
Rehmet: I think every Texan should have opportunities to succeed because the state government exists to serve the people, defend their rights, and promote equality for all. That starts with investing in public education, expanding access to healthcare, protecting consumers, and ensuring families can build a safe and secure future.
Local control is something I also believe in. Local leaders and community members deserve a meaningful voice in the consequential decisions that will affect their lives every day.
Collaboration is necessary to accomplish these objectives. I’m willing to work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, to find compromise, solve problems, and move Texas forward.
Wambsganss: As a constitutional conservative in Texas, I think the government’s main responsibility is to safeguard our lives, property, and liberty. That job should stay focused: public safety, fair courts, border security, and basic infrastructure, including public schools. The Legislature must support a successful system of public education, according to Article 7 of our Texas Constitution.
Everything else belongs to families, churches, communities, and free markets. Because people in our cities and counties are better-versed in their communities than any big brother Austin bureaucrat, I have faith in local control. I support the freedom that comes with limited government, low taxes, no state income tax, and a balanced budget.
If you win the Senate District 9, what are your top three legislative priorities?
Rehmet: My top three priorities are lowering everyday costs for working Texans, providing meaningful property tax relief to homeowners, and fully funding our public schools. By addressing hidden fees, excessive insurance premiums, and unfair pricing practices, I’m attempting to lower the price of basic necessities like groceries, healthcare, housing, and childcare.
I also believe the state must take greater responsibility for funding public education to provide some much-needed property tax relief. Our students also deserve better. I’ll fight to repeal the private school voucher scam, increase per-student funding, and ensure teachers and neighborhood public schools have the support they need.
Wambsganss: Lower the cost of living by lowering property taxes, lowering insurance premiums, fighting for higher-paying jobs and affordable housing, strong schools and good jobs ( supporting funding to increase career training programs for students who enter the workforce, keeping violent, repeat criminals behind bars, supporting law enforcement, and ensuring our border is secure ), and data center reform ( end tax incentives for data centers, install guardrails in to protect our water and force them to produce their own electricity, and allow local communities to
Question to Rehmet: Recent national polls such as YouGov and Gallup show that slightly fewer voters have unfavorable views of Democrats than Republicans. What effect has that had on your campaign in Senate District 9? Please provide examples if possible.
Response: I’ve seen that voters are sick of the noise, infighting, and representatives who focus on non-disruptive issues regardless of their political affiliations. We need to put people back at the center of politics, not party.
Regardless of whether or not they voted for me, I’ve made it a priority to campaign for everyone in my district. Rising costs, underfunded public schools, and high property taxes affect us all, and addressing these challenges requires both parties to put politics aside and work together on real solutions.
Question for Wambsganss: Recent national surveys show that Republicans have a generally unfavorable voter base. Why do you think that is, and how are you addressing this as part of your campaign?
Elections: The electorate is sick of politicians who argue rather than fix issues and spend their money on false promises rather than creating solutions. I am one of them— and this is one of the reasons I’m running. My campaign consists of appearing, speaking, and delivering.
While some voters nationwide are embracing socialist policies and candidates, the Republican message of hope, freedom, and opportunity still rings true for most Texas voters. I support lower taxes, less regulation, and a smaller government, and I still think that’s what I want.
The candidates were also given the opportunity to share any other thoughts or comments that The Texan didn’t inquire about:
” I’ve already become a stronger public servant and legislator thanks to my experiences in this office.” I’ve met with teachers, veterans, parents, union workers, business owners, local leaders, and residents to discuss how we can build a better future for ourselves and our neighbors”, Rehmet wrote.
” My office currently has 35 bills prepared to file for the 90th Session, and those conversations have helped shape my legislative priorities. There’s still work ahead to turn these proposals into law, but I’m ready to hit the ground running, work hard, and deliver results for the people of SD 9″.
There were no additional comments made by Wambsganss.
Early voting began on October 19 and runs through October 30. Election Day is on November 3rd, 2018.
