(The Center Square) – Two Democrats won their special election runoffs on Satur, one upsetting a slipping Republican stronghold in Tarrant County, the other securing a Democratic stronghold in Houston. The north Texas seat is for the state senate, the Houston seat for Congress.
The runoffs were held in two races that had numerous candidates on Nov. 5 and no candidate received 50% of the vote, The Center Square reported.
In Tarrant County, three candidates ran for an open seat in SD 9 in November, left vacant by former state Sen. Kelly Hancock. He was appointed by the governor as acting state comptroller and is running in the Republican primary to keep the post. Democrat Taylor Rehmet received the most votes, 47%, Republican Leigh Wambsganss received 36% and headed to the Jan. 31 runoff election.
Rehmet, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and president of a local machinists and aerospace union, built a coalition of support from Republicans, independents and Democrats. Wambsganss, who previously ran Patriot Mobile Action, was endorsed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare and others. Wambsganss, and political action committees supporting her, also far outspent Rehmet.
Despite this, Rehmet easily defeated Wambsganss Saturday by a vote of 57% to 42% in a major upset indicating Republican support is potentially waning in the county. Rehmet will hold the seat until the term ends.
Only 15% of registered voters voted, nearly 95,000 out of nearly 618,000, according to unofficial election results.
They each run unopposed in their respective March primaries. Whoever wins in November will fill Hancock’s seat in the Texas Senate.
Rehmet said his win “goes to everyday working people.” He has argued throughout his campaign that his focus “has always been about our community — neighbors standing together and fighting for a future we all deserve. Voters are fed up with extremist agendas that prioritize culture wars over doing what’s best for Texans.”
In Houston, 16 candidates were on the Nov. 5 ballot for an open seat in CD 18. The Democratic seat was left open after Sylvester Turner died last year.
Seven Democrats, five Republicans, three Independents and one member of the Green Party ran. Voter turnout was low and the two candidates who recieved the most votes were former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former City Council member Amanda Edwards. On Sunday, Menefee defeated Edwards by a vote of 68% to 31%, according to unofficial election results.
Even fewer people voted in Houston in the congressional race.
Only 5% of registered voters voted, 23,732 out of 423,945, according to county data; 16,174 voted for Menefee.
After winning Saturday night, Menefee said, “For too long, our community has gone without representation while prices kept rising and fundamental rights came under attack. That ends now. I’m ready to get to work on day one fighting for affordable healthcare, protecting our rights, and delivering real results for working families in this district.
“Our district cannot afford another day on the sidelines. I’m prepared to work with the Speaker of the House to ensure there is no delay in the swearing-in process so I can begin representing the people of Texas’ 18th District immediately.”
He faces Edwards and two others in the March primary in the newly drawn CD 18. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Al Green, who represents the former CD 9, was redistricted to CD 18, where he is running for reelection.
Several incumbent congressional Democrats are running for reelection in newly drawn districts after a new redistricting law the legislature passed is in effect.
The new CD 18 largely follows Green’s former CD 9 and Green is favored to win.
Texas’ Democratic and Republican primary election is March 3. Early voting begins Feb. 17.
Republicans currently maintain a slim majority in the U.S. House of 218 to 213 with four vacancies. Once Menefee is sworn in, the remaining vacant seats are in California, Georgia and New Jersey. Special elections for those seats are in June, March and February, respectively.
