Despite being heavily funded by the Las Vegas Sands casino empire, former Southlake Mayor John Huffman finished a distant third place, ending a campaign bankrolled by over $3 million from PACs tied to Sands and billionaire Miriam Adelson.
The special election — held to fill the unexpired term of former Senator Kelly Hancock — ended with Democrat Taylor Rehmet leading with roughly 47% of the vote, Wambsganss close behind at just under 37%, and Huffman with 16%.
Still, Rehmet’s stronger-than-expected showing serves as a reminder that gun owners can’t take the seat for granted heading into the next round; because no candidate earned a majority, the race now heads to a runoff between Wambsganss and Rehmet.
Grassroots Over Gold: Casino Money Falls Flat
The outcome marks a stinging defeat for casino interests that have poured millions into Texas politics in recent years in an attempt to legalize gambling and build political influence.
Huffman’s campaign was almost entirely financed by Sands-related PACs — more than 95% of his campaign cash came from those sources — but gun owners and conservatives across SD9 refused to be bought.
Voters instead rallied behind Wambsganss, who ran a no-compromise, grassroots campaign focused on constitutional liberty and protecting the Second Amendment.
Wambsganss: “The Conservative Voters of SD9 Have Spoken”
In a victory statement, Wambsganss thanked supporters and pledged to continue fighting for freedom in the runoff.
“The conservative voters of SD9 have spoken clearly and distinctly. They want to send a conservative patriot to Austin to represent them,” Wambsganss said. “While I celebrate this win tonight, I’m already lacing up my running shoes for the next leg of the race.”
Wambsganss has built her reputation as a grassroots fighter for gun rights, working alongside Texas Gun Rights during the 2023 legislative session to help pass multiple pro-gun reforms, including:
- Banning Red Flag gun confiscation laws;
- Repealing the foster parent gun registry;
- Ending taxpayer-funded gun buyback programs; and
- Decriminalizing short-barreled firearms under state law.
Her consistent record earned her a 100% pro-gun rating from Texas Gun Rights and endorsements from conservative leaders including President Donald Trump and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Rehmet’s Silence Raises Questions
In contrast, Taylor Rehmet has refused to return the Texas Gun Rights Candidate Survey and has not publicly stated his stance on the Second Amendment.
Rehmet, a union leader and Democrat, has avoided discussing gun policy throughout the campaign, prompting concern among gun rights advocates who note his endorsements from anti-gun politicians and liberal groups.
“Rehmet’s silence on gun rights speaks volumes,” said Chris McNutt, President of Texas Gun Rights.
“Leigh Wambsganss has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Texans defending the Second Amendment, while Rehmet has refused to say whether he even supports it. Gun owners have every reason to be skeptical.”
What Comes Next: Runoff and 2026 Primary
The runoff election will determine who completes Hancock’s term through 2026.
Although the district traditionally leans Republican, Rehmet’s strong first-round showing — nearly winning outright — has raised concerns among conservatives. With special elections already drawing low turnout, participation in the runoff is expected to drop even further.
McNutt warned that such conditions mean gun owners must stay engaged.
“Every single vote counts,” McNutt said. “If pro-gun Texans show up, we win. If we don’t, we risk letting Democrats flip a seat in one of the most pro-gun districts in Texas.”
Once the runoff concludes, the seat will appear again on the March 2026 ballot for both party primaries.
Prior to his loss, John Huffman pledged not to run against Wambsganss in the Republican primary if she were the victor on Tuesday night, and assuming she becomes the incumbent after the runoff.
The Bottom Line
The Senate District 9 special election sent a clear message: grassroots Texans are done with establishment games and out-of-state money.
But the fight isn’t over. The runoff will test whether gun owners can turn out once again and defend their rights against a well-funded opposition determined to flip a conservative seat.
As McNutt put it:
“The establishment tried to buy this seat with casino cash, and they failed. Now it’s up to gun owners to finish the job — because freedom isn’t for sale.”
