The race for Texas Senate District 9 is headed to a runoff after Democrat Taylor Rehmet led early voting with 47 percent of the vote. The district, which includes parts of Fort Worth and affluent suburbs such as Southlake and Colleyville, has traditionally favored Republicans, supporting former President Donald Trump by nearly 60 points in the 2024 presidential election.
Rehmet, an Air Force veteran and union president, is now set to face conservative Republican Leigh Wambsganss in a runoff. Wambsganss received 36 percent of early voting results. Former Southlake mayor John Huffman, who was backed by Sands Casino with $1 million in direct donations and $2 million in advertising support, finished third with 16 percent and will not advance.
Sands Casino has been actively seeking to expand its presence in Texas. The company has made significant investments in the state over recent years, including acquiring the Dallas Mavericks basketball team and purchasing land near the Texas Stadium site in Irving. In March, Sands rezoned a 182-acre tract but removed plans for a casino following public opposition.
Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont control Sands Casino. Adelson contributed $100 million to Donald Trump’s campaign last year. The company’s involvement raises questions about whether it might endorse a pro-casino Democrat like Rehmet after its preferred Republican candidate was eliminated.
Wambsganss opposes casino gambling and serves as chief communications officer for Patriot Mobile, a Christian wireless provider. She has received endorsements from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick—who also opposes casinos—as well as state Sen. Tan Parker, Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, and state Rep. Nate Schatzline.
The special election was called after longtime Republican Kelly Hancock resigned to become acting state comptroller; no primary took place prior to this contest. Since no candidate secured more than half of the votes cast, Rehmet and Wambsganss will compete again on December 13.
