In a speech before cheering supporters, Democrat Taylor Rehmet dedicated his victory “to everyday working people.”

Democrats scored a major upset on Saturday, as machinist union leader Taylor Rehmet easily defeated Republican opponent Leigh Wambsganss in a state senate special election held in a deep-red district that Donald Trump carried by 17 percentage points in 2024.

With nearly all votes counted, Rehmet holds a 14-point lead in Texas’ Senate District 9, which covers a large portion of Tarrant County.

Republican opponent Wambsganss conceded defeat in the race but vowed to win an upcoming rematch in November.

“The dynamics of a special election are fundamentally different from a November general election,” Wambsganss said. “I believe the voters of Senate District 9 and Tarrant County Republicans will answer the call in November.”

    • Jumi@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      How much of this shit would have happened if they were actually against it?

      • MadBits@europe.pub
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        2 days ago

        This ^, right here. Just standing there and watching it all happen while having all the authority to combat it, is exactly the same thing as siding.

      • Triasha@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Do you think we live in a democracy or a dictatorship?

        Can the tories stop labor in great Britain?

        Can the conservatives in Canada stop the liberals right now?

        What do you expect from the party we DIDN’T VOTE FOR?

        • Jumi@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          The US is more an oligarchy than anything else or do you actually believe you live in a democratic system?

          • Triasha@lemmy.world
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            1 day ago

            Do you think the votes are rigged?

            Do you think laws can’t be passed? Did the deep state create Obamacare and pretend it was Obama and the Democrats?

            What about the chips act? The inflation reduction act? Are they pretending to pass laws?

              • Triasha@lemmy.world
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                18 hours ago

                Perhaps we are operating on different definitions.

                I would not disagree that America is a de facto oligarchy. It remains a de jure democracy.