Texas Senate District 9 is headed for a January 31 runoff election, and gun owners are being warned not to sleepwalk through a race that could swing a reliably Republican seat into the hands of the gun-confiscation lobby.
The runoff pits Leigh Wambsganss (R)—an outspoken advocate for gun rights who has pledged no-compromise support for the Second Amendment—against Taylor Rehmet (D), a candidate whose public statements and allies place him squarely in the camp of gun confiscation policies and national anti-gun groups.
A Stark Contrast on Guns
Wambsganss has made her position clear: Texans have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and she has pledged to defend that right without compromise.
Her campaign has earned endorsements from Texas Gun Rights PAC, National Association for Gun Rights PAC, Gun Owners of America (GOA), and the National Rifle Association (NRA)—a rare alignment that underscores the breadth of pro-gun support behind her candidacy.
Rehmet, by contrast, has drawn criticism from gun rights activists for backing policies such as “Red Flag” gun confiscation laws and mandated gun owner insurance, positions he has discussed publicly while attempting to brand himself as a “moderate.”
He has also received backing from radical national gun-confiscation groups, including Everytown, which has openly organized campaign events on his behalf.
Low Turnout, High Stakes
While Senate District 9 is considered a solidly red district, the dynamics of a runoff for a special election change everything.
Turnout is historically low, and motivated activist bases—especially those backed by national money—can have an outsized impact.
Gun rights leaders say complacency is the biggest threat.
“People hear ‘safe Republican district’ and think the fight is over,” said Chris McNutt, president of Texas Gun Rights. “That’s how anti-gun Democrats sneak into office. When turnout collapses, the gun-confiscation lobby shows up. If gun owners don’t, it’s game over. This race is also a warning shot for what we may expect to see in the March Primary. Who has the most motivated base right now?”
With the Texas Legislature set to consider major policy fights in the coming session, even a single Senate seat can tip the balance on key votes.
And with early voting starting January 20 and Election Day on January 31, gun rights groups are urging pro-gun Texans to take nothing for granted—and to turn out in force.
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