The Senate race for Texas Senate District 9 may play a key role in the future of Texas gambling
A special election in Tarrant County for Texas Senate District 9 has unexpectedly become a key moment in the Lone Star State’s long-running debate over casino gambling. The race, triggered by the resignation of Republican Senator Kelly Hancock, has drawn outsized attention because the outcome could influence future legislative decisions on gambling expansion in Texas. With the Texas Senate closely divided, one new voice could tilt the balance in upcoming sessions.
Early results show Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss headed toward a runoff, setting the stage for a decisive second round. Both candidates represent sharply contrasting views on the issue of casino legalization, a topic that has attracted millions of dollars in outside spending and the attention of corporate and conservative power players.
Leigh Wambsganss, backed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and conservative donor Tim Dunn, has built her campaign around opposing gambling expansion. She argues that casino interests, particularly those tied to Las Vegas Sands, are trying to influence Texas politics through heavy campaign spending. Her message has resonated with evangelical and family-focused voters who see casinos as a threat to community values.
Taylor Rehmet, a Democratic labor organizer, has centered her campaign on economic fairness, workers’ rights, and education funding. Though she trails in overall fundraising, her performance in this Republican-leaning district signals growing Democratic engagement in suburban areas. While she has not made gambling the core of her platform, she supports letting voters decide the issue through a statewide referendum.
Meanwhile, former Southlake mayor John Huffman, who supported casino legalization efforts, finished just behind the frontrunners after receiving millions in support from the Sands Corporation. His elimination means casino advocates lose a strong ally in the next round.
With Rehmet and Wambsganss advancing to a runoff, the future of casino discussions in Texas may hinge on which direction Tarrant County voters choose next.
