Early voting begins in Tarrant County state Senate runoff
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Early voting begins Wednesday in the state Senate runoff between a MAGA Republican and a Democratic union leader in Tarrant County.
Why it matters: Democrat Taylor Rehmet was viewed as an underdog before the November special election when he faced two well-known Republicans who had raised millions of dollars. Rehmet garnered more than 47% of the vote.
- Now his runoff race against well-known conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss could give a preview of Democratic performance during the midterms.
The latest: Early voting continues through Tuesday in state Senate District 9, which covers most of Tarrant County. The county has 22 early voting locations.
- Election day is Jan. 31.
The intrigue: Wambsganss spent almost $1.4 million on her campaign from July to October, focused mostly on the other Republican in the race, former Southlake Mayor John Huffman, who spent almost $1 million.
- During that same period, Rehmet spent about $65,000, according to campaign finance reports.
Follow the money: Wambsganss raised nearly $528,000 from Oct. 26-Dec. 31, the latest filings show. She spent about $300,000 during that time and still has over $361,000 on hand.
- Rehmet, meanwhile, raised almost $207,000 during that period, which mostly came after his performance in the polls. His campaign spent about $106,000 during those months.
State of play: The state Senate seat was left vacant after Kelly Hancock resigned to serve as the acting state comptroller. The runoff election determines who fills the seat through the end of the year.
- Both Wambsganss and Rehmet are running unopposed in the March primaries, so they will face each other again in November for the full four-year term.
- The November winner will assume the position before the start of the next regular legislative session in 2027.
By the numbers: Rehmet tallied 56,565 votes in November, good for 47.6% of the vote.
- Wambsganss got 42,749 votes, or nearly 36%.
- But the combined Republican vote of 62,347 outperformed the Democrat.
What they're saying: "We feel the energy for our campaign and this election every single day," Rehmet told CBS11.
- Meanwhile, Wambsganss, who calls herself "ultra MAGA," said on Instagram: "Republicans have to get out and vote to keep Texas red."
What's next: Polls open at 8am and close at 5pm Wednesday and Thursday.
- Polls are open 7am-7pm Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday and 7am-7pm Monday and Tuesday.
Tarrant County voting sites are open 7am-7pm Jan. 31.