Democrat Taylor Rehmet came within three percentage points of winning Senate District 9 — which voted for Donald Trump by over 17 points in 2024 — over his two Republican opponents.

The Texas Constitution looks a lot different now, following the successful passage of 17 amendments, including some conservative hot buttons.

Tuesday’s election sees Republicans John Huffman and Leigh Wambsganss and Democrat Taylor Rehmet race for the seat.

There is a three-person race to replace an outgoing state senator in Tarrant County. With early voting totals in, Democrat Taylor Rehmet, a veteran and union leader, is leading the way with 44% of the vote.

Whoever wins Tuesday will finish out the remainder of Hancock’s term. Each of the candidates has said they plan to run for the seat again in 2026, when they’ll have to win their respective March primaries to secure a place on the November ballot.

The contentious Republican primary between Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton received a political jolt of its own after Representative Wesley Hunt ended months of speculation and entered the race. On Monday, Oct. 6, he announced his campaign and joined Cornyn, who is seeking a fifth term, and Paxton.

Surviving spouses of Texas veterans that died from a service-connected illness approved a larger break on their homestead exemption.

The list of Democrats vying for the U.S. Senate seat includes Crockett, who is testing the waters, as well as Talarico and Allred, who announced endorsements.