State of Texas
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked
On ballot as
Leigh Wambsganss
Taylor Rehmet
Current role
Chief communications officer, Patriot Mobile (Grapevine-based cellphone company)
State Senator, District 9 (since February 2026)
Background
- Bachelor's and master's degrees; first in her family to earn a bachelor's (per campaign)
- Earlier work: television news, congressional campaigns, congressional liaison for veterans, corporate communications (per campaign)
- Built her own real estate business (per campaign)
- Southlake resident
- Has lived in Tarrant County with her husband for over thirty years (per campaign)
- U.S. Air Force veteran
- Aerospace machinist
- President, Texas State Council, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
- President of his local of the same union
- Born and raised in Garland
Experience
- Special election runoff for this seat (Jan. 31, 2026): lost to Taylor Rehmet, 57.3% to 42.7%
- More than 30 years as a volunteer advocate, including testifying before lawmakers in Austin (per campaign)
- Republican primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
- Special election runoff for this seat (Jan. 31, 2026): won with 57.3% of the vote
- Unexpired term of former Sen. Kelly Hancock; sworn in Feb. 19, 2026
- Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
Top priorities
- Cost of living: "Cut property taxes, lower insurance premiums, and fight for better-paying jobs and affordable housing for working families"
- Data centers: "End tax incentives for data centers, make them pay for their own water and electrical costs"
- Schools: "Support funding needed to improve education, increase career training and apprenticeship programs"
- Public safety: "Keep violent, repeat criminals behind bars"
- Wants to "Keep men out of women's sports, bathrooms and locker rooms"
- Schools: "fully funding public schools and repealing the expensive private school voucher scams"
- Property taxes: "capping appraisal spikes, expanding tax exemptions for veterans and seniors"
- Health care: "curb insurance premium hikes, lower prescription drug prices, and rein in exorbitant hospital costs"
- Data centers: "a moratorium on new AI data centers until the Legislature establishes clear, responsible guidelines for their growth"
- Workers: "strengthen workers' rights, expand collective bargaining, and bring good-paying, union jobs back to Texas communities"
Tidbits
- Abortion: Campaign site: "Be a voice for the voiceless protecting innocent life and remove barriers so the private sector can provide resources to women facing crisis pregnancies."
- Border and immigration: No public statement found
- Guns: Campaign site: "Protect Texan's right to keep and bear arms."
- Public schools and vouchers: Campaign site: "Support funding needed to improve education, increase career training and apprenticeship programs so students are prepared for the work force."
- Property taxes: Campaign site: "Cut property taxes, lower insurance premiums, and fight for better-paying jobs and affordable housing for working families."
Claims and the record
- Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
- Abortion: No public statement found
- Border and immigration: Campaign site: "Taylor believes in securing our border, enforcing our immigration laws, and keeping our communities safe, while treating people with dignity and respect"
- Guns: No public statement found
- Public schools and vouchers: Campaign site: "He supports fully funding public schools and repealing the expensive private school voucher scams"
- Property taxes: Campaign site: "Taylor supports capping appraisal spikes, expanding tax exemptions for veterans and seniors" and increasing the state's share of school funding
Claims and the record
- Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements
- Texas Right to Life
- Texas Values Action
- Texas Home School Coalition
- Tarrant County Patriots PAC (primary)
- President Donald J. Trump (listed by campaign)
Show all 295
- American Jewish Conservatives (listed by campaign)
- Americans for Public Safety (listed by campaign)
- Arlington Police Association PAC (listed by campaign)
- Arlington Professional Firefighters (listed by campaign)
- Charter Schools Now PAC (listed by campaign)
- Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (listed by campaign)
- Concerned Women for America LAC (listed by campaign)
- Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) (listed by campaign)
- Dallas Police Officers’ PAC (listed by campaign)
- DFW Conservative Voters PAC (listed by campaign)
- Fort Worth Professional Firefighters Association (listed by campaign)
- Frederick Douglas Republicans of Tarrant County PAC (listed by campaign)
- Grassroots American We The People PAC (listed by campaign)
- Gun Owners of America (listed by campaign)
- Gun Owners of America – Texas (listed by campaign)
- Houston Police Officers’ Union PAC (listed by campaign)
- Moms for America Action (listed by campaign)
- National Association of Gun Rights (listed by campaign)
- National Border Patrol Council (listed by campaign)
- National Federation of Independent Business TX PAC (listed by campaign)
- National Rifle Association (listed by campaign)
- Rural Friends of Electric Cooperatives PAC (listed by campaign)
- Tarrant County Law Enforcement Association (listed by campaign)
- Tarrant County Young Republicans (listed by campaign)
- Texas Alliance for Life PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texas Conservative Review (listed by campaign)
- Texas Eagle Forum PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texas Realtors PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texans for Vaccine Choice (listed by campaign)
- Texans United For a Conservative Majority (listed by campaign)
- Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association Political Action Committee (listed by campaign)
- Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND (listed by campaign)
- Texas Family Project (listed by campaign)
- Texas Gun Rights (listed by campaign)
- Texas Municipal Police Association (listed by campaign)
- Texas Optometric Association PAC (listed by campaign)
- True Texas Project (listed by campaign)
- Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator (listed by campaign)
- Jake Ellzey, U.S. Congressman TX6 (listed by campaign)
- Craig Goldman, U.S. Congressman TX12 (listed by campaign)
- Beth Van Duyne, U.S. Congresswomen TX24 (listed by campaign)
- Brandon Gill, U.S. Congressman TX26 (listed by campaign)
- Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas (listed by campaign)
- Dan Patrick, Lt. Governor of Texas (listed by campaign)
- John Scott, Former Provisional Attorney General & Former Texas Secretary of State (listed by campaign)
- Bob Hall, State Senator SD2 (listed by campaign)
- Angela Paxton, State Senator SD8 (listed by campaign)
- Phil King, State Senator SD10 (listed by campaign)
- Tan Parker, State Senator SD12 (listed by campaign)
- Brent Hagenbuch, State Senator SD30 (listed by campaign)
- Kelly Hancock, Former State Senator SD9 (listed by campaign)
- Don Huffines, Former State Senator SD16 (listed by campaign)
- Brent Money – State Representative HD2 (listed by campaign)
- Brian Harrison, State Representative HD10 (listed by campaign)
- Steve Toth, State Representative HD15 (listed by campaign)
- Richard Hayes, State Representative HD57 (listed by campaign)
- Mike Olcott, State Representative HD60 (listed by campaign)
- Keresa Richardson, State Representative HD61 (listed by campaign)
- Andy Hopper, State Representative HD64 (listed by campaign)
- Mitch Little, State Representative HD65 (listed by campaign)
- David Lowe, State Representative HD91 (listed by campaign)
- Nate Schatzline, State Representative HD93 (listed by campaign)
- Tony Tinderholt, State Representative HD94 (listed by campaign)
- David Cook, State Representative HD96 (listed by campaign)
- Tom Oliverson, State Representative HD130 (listed by campaign)
- Phil Sorrells, Tarrant County District Attorney (listed by campaign)
- Tim O’Hare, Tarrant County Judge (listed by campaign)
- Matt Krause, Tarrant County Commissioner Pct. 3 (listed by campaign)
- Manny Ramirez, Tarrant County Commissioner Pct. 4 (listed by campaign)
- Bill Waybourn, Tarrant County Sheriff (listed by campaign)
- Mary Louise Nicholson, Tarrant County Clerk (listed by campaign)
- Tom Wilder, Tarrant County District Clerk (listed by campaign)
- Cam Bryan, Southlake Carroll ISD School Board President (listed by campaign)
- Renee Bottom, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Eric Lannen, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Alex Sexton, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Christy Stacy, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Andrew Yeager, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Read Ballew, Former Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Dudley Jordan, Former Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Shannon Braun, Grapevine Colleyville School Board President (listed by campaign)
- Chris Coker, Keller ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Bowie Hogg, Arlington City Council (listed by campaign)
- Mauricio Galante, Arlington City Council (listed by campaign)
- Frank Carroll, Former Colleyville City Councilman (listed by campaign)
- George Dodson, Former Colleyville City Councilman (listed by campaign)
- Alan Blaylock, Fort Worth City Council (listed by campaign)
- Michael D. Crain, Fort Worth City Council (listed by campaign)
- Charles Lauersdorf, Fort Worth City Council (listed by campaign)
- John H. Miller, Hurst City Council (listed by campaign)
- Karen Brennan, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Shannon Dubberly, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Tag Green, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Ross McMullin, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Chris Whatley, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Greg Will, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Sherrie Watkins, Lake Worth City Council (listed by campaign)
- Heather Washington, Keller ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Laura Forkner Pritchett, Tarrant County College Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Micah Young, Former Keller ISD School Board (listed by campaign)
- Danny Roberts, NRH City Council, Pl. 3 (listed by campaign)
- Matt Blake, NRH City Council, Pl. 4 (listed by campaign)
- Billy Parks, NRH City Council, Pl. 5 (listed by campaign)
- Russ Mitchell, NRH City Council, Pl. 6 & Precinct Chair 3289 (listed by campaign)
- Shawn McCaskill, Southlake Mayor (listed by campaign)
- Kelvin Duepree, NRH City Council Mayor ProTemp & Pl. 7 (listed by campaign)
- Frances Scharli, Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Chuck Taggart, Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Chris Archer, Former Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Carolyn Morris, Former Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Chad Patton, Former Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Jeff Wang, Former Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Bruce Kreiger, Former Southlake CISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Lovie Downey, Watuaga City Council (listed by campaign)
- Gary Hulsey, Mayor of Haslet (listed by campaign)
- Bobby Lindamood, Mayor of Colleyville (listed by campaign)
- Jack McCarty, Mayor of North Richland Hills (listed by campaign)
- Art Miner, Mayor of Watauga (listed by campaign)
- Kim Greaves, Mayor of Westlake (listed by campaign)
- Pat McGrail, Former Mayor of Keller (listed by campaign)
- Joe Ashton, Former Mayor of River Oaks (listed by campaign)
- Rick Barnes, Tarrant County Tax Assessor (listed by campaign)
- Matt Bryant, Tarrant Appraisal Board (listed by campaign)
- Callie Rigney, Tarrant Appraisal Board (listed by campaign)
- Dale Clark, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- Darrell Huffman, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- Jody Johnson, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- Jon H. Siegel, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- David Woodruff, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- Faron Young, White Settlement Mayor (listed by campaign)
- Cindi Castilla, TXEF President (listed by campaign)
- Christian Collins, President, Texas Youth Summit (listed by campaign)
- Coach Joe Kennedy (listed by campaign)
- Jim DeMint, Former US Senator (R-SC) (listed by campaign)
- JoAnn Fleming- GAWTP PAC Executive Directory (listed by campaign)
- Riley Gaines, Save Women’s Sports Athlete (listed by campaign)
- Joe Gamaldi, National VP, Fraternal Order of Police (listed by campaign)
- Rick Green, Patriot Academy (listed by campaign)
- David Manning, Former President of the Fort Worth Police Officer’s Association (listed by campaign)
- Julie McCarty, Founder & CEO, True Texas Project (listed by campaign)
- Chris McNutt, President, Texas Gun Rights (listed by campaign)
- Eric Morris, TAD Board of Directors (listed by campaign)
- Ross Perot Jr. (listed by campaign)
- Jason Rapert, President, National Association of Christian Lawmakers (listed by campaign)
- Kelly Shackelford, President & CEO, First Liberty Institute (listed by campaign)
- Brooke Slusser, Save Women’s Sports Athlete (listed by campaign)
- D’rinda Randall, Texas Republican Party Chairman (listed by campaign)
- Abraham George, Former TXGOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- James Dickey, Former TXGOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Matt Rinaldi, Former TXGOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Lt. Col. Allen West, Dallas County GOP Chair & Former TXGOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Melinda Preston, Denton County GOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Darl Easton, HD92 Area Leader, Former Tarrant County GOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Chaplain Rich Stoglin, President-Frederick Douglass Republicans of Tarrant County (listed by campaign)
- Dr. Robin Armstrong, TXGOP National Committeeman & Galveston County Commissioner (listed by campaign)
- Debbie Georgatos, TXGOP National Committeewoman & Conservative Talk Show Host (listed by campaign)
- Paul Alvarado, President of Keller Republican Club (listed by campaign)
- David Lambertson, Former TCGOP PC 1227 & HD95 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Paul Hale, SREC 1 (listed by campaign)
- Anne Gephart, SREC 9 (listed by campaign)
- Dan Tully, SREC 9 (listed by campaign)
- Gaylyn DeVine, SREC 11 (listed by campaign)
- Lisa Hendrickson, SREC 12 (listed by campaign)
- David Wylie, SREC 12 (listed by campaign)
- Rolando Garcia, SREC 15 (listed by campaign)
- Matthew Patrick, SREC 16 (listed by campaign)
- Rachel Horton, SREC 30 (listed by campaign)
- Patrick Wamhoff, SREC 30 (listed by campaign)
- Kathy Ponce, Ellis Co. GOP Leg. Comm. Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jennifer Halpenny Precinct 1015 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Ruben Jimenez Jr., Precinct 1094 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Christi Cantu Wilson, Precint 1108 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Melinda Akowski, Precinct 1111 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Marshall Hobbs, Precinct 1120 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Lois Kapp, Precinct 1277 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Terry Munford, Precinct 1146 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Janel Jones, Precinct 1151 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Hollie Plemons, Precinct 1167 Chair & HD90 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Mona Puente, Precinct 1199 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Sherry Moore, Precinct 1337 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Marisa Christensen, Precinct 1714 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Glenn Melvin, Precinct 2052 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mark Hanson, Precinct 2055 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Carol Adams, Precinct 2089 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Justin Galloway, Precinct 2148 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Maureen Smith, Precinct 2181 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Eric Roman, Precinct 2190 Chair (listed by campaign)
- James Hairston, Precinct 2224 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Luli Seri, Precinct 2228 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Kyle O’Neal, Precinct 2246 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Neely Fortinberry, Former Precinct 2303 Chair (listed by campaign)
- David Ellis, Precinct 2636 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Lisa Ventura, Precinct 2745 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Andrea Mills, Precinct 3032 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Laura Oakley, Pct 3035 Chair, Founder & President of Grapevine Republican Club (listed by campaign)
- Mitzi Hammons, Precinct 3043 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Greg Stamps, Precinct 3049 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Stacey Morse, Precinct 3131 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Gina Butler, Precinct 3139 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Daniel Stringham, Precinct 3140 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jason Butz, Precinct 3164 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Marty Jacob, Precinct 3166 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mona Kurtz, Precinct 3172 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Bob Harper, Precinct 3176 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Justin Todd, Precinct 3177 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Brian King, Precinct 3187 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Chris Hulsey, Precinct 3192 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Brian Crowson, Precinct 3209 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Janna Easton, Precinct 3212 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Carla Gonzales, Precinct 3214 Chair & HD91 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Rosalie Escobedo, Precinct 3216 Chair & HD98 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Dan Scherer, Precinct 3240 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Tamma Gunn, Precinct 3247 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Diana Boger, Precinct 3248 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Sheridan King, Precinct Chair 3283 (listed by campaign)
- Rick Roberts, Precinct 3287 Chair (listed by campaign)
- William Finstad, Precinct 3324 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jeffrey Ritter, Precinct 3325 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John B. Lochridge, Precinct 3327 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Teresa Rutherford, Precinct 3331 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mona Bailey, Precinct 3333 Chair (listed by campaign)
- James Ashby, Precinct 3335 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jolyn Potenza, Precinct 3359 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mary Stone, Precinct 3364 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jerah Turner, Precinct 3384 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Eloise Kennedy, Precinct 3387 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Brieger, Precinct 3390 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Vandolyn Roszell, Precinct 3392 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Zariyan Stark, Precinct 3391 Chair & RNC Delegate (listed by campaign)
- Michele Kelk, Precinct 3422 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Curtis Walker, Precinct 3465 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Kenya Alu, Precinct 3486 Chair & HD93 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Lynn Kishaba, Precinct 3500 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Deborah Johnson, Precinct 3502 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Arenz, Precinct 3507 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Chris Sims, Precinct 3510 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mary Childs, Precinct 3527, Chair (listed by campaign)
- Tabitha Thomann, Precinct 3529 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Donna Baker, Precinct 3545 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Rosemary Pradia, Precinct 3552 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Patty Yeager, Precinct 3558 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Steven Bei, Precinct 3579 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Gail Smith, Precinct 3647 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Hinojosa, Precinct 3648 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Eric Addante, Precinct 3695 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Ruth Ray, Precinct 3696 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Paul Merrick, Precinct 3698 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Carolyn Isom, Precinct 3700 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Holcomb, Precinct 3715 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Kathy May, Precinct 3716 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Paul Bowman, Precinct 3720 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Brendan Walsh, Precinct 3725 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Ashley Groff, Precinct 3735 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Sukhijwan White, Precinct 3732 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Larry Carpenter, Precinct 4044 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Caleb Backholm, Precinct 4045 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Katheryn Moore, Precinct 4065 Chair & HD99 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Marvin Bahnman, Precinct 4057 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Todd Roper, Precinct 4124 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jonathan Murell, Precinct 4141 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mark Brezina, Precinct 4144 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Aaron James, Precinct 4204 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Tom Quinones, Precinct 4218 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Carlos Turcios, Precinct 4230 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Joshua Medeiros, Precinct 4232 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Patrick Gerval, Precinct 4242 Chair (listed by campaign)
- William Whitaker, Precinct 4252 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Raymond, Precinct 4259 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Melinda Teitelbaum, Precinct 4243 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Rodney Dewalt, Precinct 4250 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jack Collier, Precinct 4272 Chair (listed by campaign)
- David Hanson Precinct 4338 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Natalie Gonzales, Precinct 4374 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jim Sutton, Precinct 4410 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Matt Forbes, Precinct 4454 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John O’Shea Precinct 4492 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Rosalyn Blanchette, Precinct 4496 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Andra Beatty, Precinct 4508 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Kurt Peterson, Precinct 4531 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Charles Levitt, Precinct 4533 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Shellie Surles, Precinct 4591 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Peet, Precinct 4649 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Trent Hill, Precinct 4702 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Cooper Morse, Precinct 4713 Chair (listed by campaign)
- WT “Skip” Leake, Precinct 4724 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jennifer Streater, Precinct 4730 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Gabby Ahlheim, Precinct 4736 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Ann McGlynn, Precinct 4833 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Texas AFL-CIO
- Texas AFT
- Senator Carol Alvarado (listed by campaign)
- Senator Roland Gutierrez (listed by campaign)
- Senator Nathan Johnson (listed by campaign)
Show all 21
- Senator Wendy Davis (listed by campaign)
- Commissioner Roderick Miles (listed by campaign)
- Chairman Chris Turner (listed by campaign)
- Commissioner Alisa Simmons (listed by campaign)
- Mayor Todd Flippo (listed by campaign)
- Mayor Jim Ross (listed by campaign)
- Councilmember Kyle Hantz (listed by campaign)
- Councilmember Deborah Peoples (listed by campaign)
- Councilmember Chris Nettles (listed by campaign)
- Councilmember Elizabeth Beck (listed by campaign)
- Fmr. County Judge Glen Whitley (listed by campaign)
- Lone Star Project (listed by campaign)
- IAM Union (listed by campaign)
- Lone Star Left (listed by campaign)
- Run For Something (listed by campaign)
- Vote Vets (listed by campaign)
Leigh Wambsganss
Republican- On ballot as
- Leigh Wambsganss
- Current role
- Chief communications officer, Patriot Mobile (Grapevine-based cellphone company)
- Background
- Bachelor's and master's degrees; first in her family to earn a bachelor's (per campaign)
- Earlier work: television news, congressional campaigns, congressional liaison for veterans, corporate communications (per campaign)
- Built her own real estate business (per campaign)
- Southlake resident
- Has lived in Tarrant County with her husband for over thirty years (per campaign)
- Experience
- Special election runoff for this seat (Jan. 31, 2026): lost to Taylor Rehmet, 57.3% to 42.7%
- More than 30 years as a volunteer advocate, including testifying before lawmakers in Austin (per campaign)
- Republican primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
- Top priorities
- Cost of living: "Cut property taxes, lower insurance premiums, and fight for better-paying jobs and affordable housing for working families"
- Data centers: "End tax incentives for data centers, make them pay for their own water and electrical costs"
- Schools: "Support funding needed to improve education, increase career training and apprenticeship programs"
- Public safety: "Keep violent, repeat criminals behind bars"
- Wants to "Keep men out of women's sports, bathrooms and locker rooms"
- Tidbits
- Abortion: Campaign site: "Be a voice for the voiceless protecting innocent life and remove barriers so the private sector can provide resources to women facing crisis pregnancies."
- Border and immigration: No public statement found
- Guns: Campaign site: "Protect Texan's right to keep and bear arms."
- Public schools and vouchers: Campaign site: "Support funding needed to improve education, increase career training and apprenticeship programs so students are prepared for the work force."
- Property taxes: Campaign site: "Cut property taxes, lower insurance premiums, and fight for better-paying jobs and affordable housing for working families."
Claims and the record- Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
- Endorsements
- Texas Right to Life
- Texas Values Action
- Texas Home School Coalition
- Tarrant County Patriots PAC (primary)
- President Donald J. Trump (listed by campaign)
Show all 295
- American Jewish Conservatives (listed by campaign)
- Americans for Public Safety (listed by campaign)
- Arlington Police Association PAC (listed by campaign)
- Arlington Professional Firefighters (listed by campaign)
- Charter Schools Now PAC (listed by campaign)
- Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (listed by campaign)
- Concerned Women for America LAC (listed by campaign)
- Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) (listed by campaign)
- Dallas Police Officers’ PAC (listed by campaign)
- DFW Conservative Voters PAC (listed by campaign)
- Fort Worth Professional Firefighters Association (listed by campaign)
- Frederick Douglas Republicans of Tarrant County PAC (listed by campaign)
- Grassroots American We The People PAC (listed by campaign)
- Gun Owners of America (listed by campaign)
- Gun Owners of America – Texas (listed by campaign)
- Houston Police Officers’ Union PAC (listed by campaign)
- Moms for America Action (listed by campaign)
- National Association of Gun Rights (listed by campaign)
- National Border Patrol Council (listed by campaign)
- National Federation of Independent Business TX PAC (listed by campaign)
- National Rifle Association (listed by campaign)
- Rural Friends of Electric Cooperatives PAC (listed by campaign)
- Tarrant County Law Enforcement Association (listed by campaign)
- Tarrant County Young Republicans (listed by campaign)
- Texas Alliance for Life PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texas Conservative Review (listed by campaign)
- Texas Eagle Forum PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texas Realtors PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC (listed by campaign)
- Texans for Vaccine Choice (listed by campaign)
- Texans United For a Conservative Majority (listed by campaign)
- Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association Political Action Committee (listed by campaign)
- Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND (listed by campaign)
- Texas Family Project (listed by campaign)
- Texas Gun Rights (listed by campaign)
- Texas Municipal Police Association (listed by campaign)
- Texas Optometric Association PAC (listed by campaign)
- True Texas Project (listed by campaign)
- Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator (listed by campaign)
- Jake Ellzey, U.S. Congressman TX6 (listed by campaign)
- Craig Goldman, U.S. Congressman TX12 (listed by campaign)
- Beth Van Duyne, U.S. Congresswomen TX24 (listed by campaign)
- Brandon Gill, U.S. Congressman TX26 (listed by campaign)
- Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas (listed by campaign)
- Dan Patrick, Lt. Governor of Texas (listed by campaign)
- John Scott, Former Provisional Attorney General & Former Texas Secretary of State (listed by campaign)
- Bob Hall, State Senator SD2 (listed by campaign)
- Angela Paxton, State Senator SD8 (listed by campaign)
- Phil King, State Senator SD10 (listed by campaign)
- Tan Parker, State Senator SD12 (listed by campaign)
- Brent Hagenbuch, State Senator SD30 (listed by campaign)
- Kelly Hancock, Former State Senator SD9 (listed by campaign)
- Don Huffines, Former State Senator SD16 (listed by campaign)
- Brent Money – State Representative HD2 (listed by campaign)
- Brian Harrison, State Representative HD10 (listed by campaign)
- Steve Toth, State Representative HD15 (listed by campaign)
- Richard Hayes, State Representative HD57 (listed by campaign)
- Mike Olcott, State Representative HD60 (listed by campaign)
- Keresa Richardson, State Representative HD61 (listed by campaign)
- Andy Hopper, State Representative HD64 (listed by campaign)
- Mitch Little, State Representative HD65 (listed by campaign)
- David Lowe, State Representative HD91 (listed by campaign)
- Nate Schatzline, State Representative HD93 (listed by campaign)
- Tony Tinderholt, State Representative HD94 (listed by campaign)
- David Cook, State Representative HD96 (listed by campaign)
- Tom Oliverson, State Representative HD130 (listed by campaign)
- Phil Sorrells, Tarrant County District Attorney (listed by campaign)
- Tim O’Hare, Tarrant County Judge (listed by campaign)
- Matt Krause, Tarrant County Commissioner Pct. 3 (listed by campaign)
- Manny Ramirez, Tarrant County Commissioner Pct. 4 (listed by campaign)
- Bill Waybourn, Tarrant County Sheriff (listed by campaign)
- Mary Louise Nicholson, Tarrant County Clerk (listed by campaign)
- Tom Wilder, Tarrant County District Clerk (listed by campaign)
- Cam Bryan, Southlake Carroll ISD School Board President (listed by campaign)
- Renee Bottom, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Eric Lannen, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Alex Sexton, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Christy Stacy, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Andrew Yeager, Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Read Ballew, Former Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Dudley Jordan, Former Southlake Carroll ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Shannon Braun, Grapevine Colleyville School Board President (listed by campaign)
- Chris Coker, Keller ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Bowie Hogg, Arlington City Council (listed by campaign)
- Mauricio Galante, Arlington City Council (listed by campaign)
- Frank Carroll, Former Colleyville City Councilman (listed by campaign)
- George Dodson, Former Colleyville City Councilman (listed by campaign)
- Alan Blaylock, Fort Worth City Council (listed by campaign)
- Michael D. Crain, Fort Worth City Council (listed by campaign)
- Charles Lauersdorf, Fort Worth City Council (listed by campaign)
- John H. Miller, Hurst City Council (listed by campaign)
- Karen Brennan, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Shannon Dubberly, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Tag Green, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Ross McMullin, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Chris Whatley, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Greg Will, Keller City Council (listed by campaign)
- Sherrie Watkins, Lake Worth City Council (listed by campaign)
- Heather Washington, Keller ISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Laura Forkner Pritchett, Tarrant County College Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Micah Young, Former Keller ISD School Board (listed by campaign)
- Danny Roberts, NRH City Council, Pl. 3 (listed by campaign)
- Matt Blake, NRH City Council, Pl. 4 (listed by campaign)
- Billy Parks, NRH City Council, Pl. 5 (listed by campaign)
- Russ Mitchell, NRH City Council, Pl. 6 & Precinct Chair 3289 (listed by campaign)
- Shawn McCaskill, Southlake Mayor (listed by campaign)
- Kelvin Duepree, NRH City Council Mayor ProTemp & Pl. 7 (listed by campaign)
- Frances Scharli, Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Chuck Taggart, Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Chris Archer, Former Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Carolyn Morris, Former Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Chad Patton, Former Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Jeff Wang, Former Southlake City Council (listed by campaign)
- Bruce Kreiger, Former Southlake CISD Trustee (listed by campaign)
- Lovie Downey, Watuaga City Council (listed by campaign)
- Gary Hulsey, Mayor of Haslet (listed by campaign)
- Bobby Lindamood, Mayor of Colleyville (listed by campaign)
- Jack McCarty, Mayor of North Richland Hills (listed by campaign)
- Art Miner, Mayor of Watauga (listed by campaign)
- Kim Greaves, Mayor of Westlake (listed by campaign)
- Pat McGrail, Former Mayor of Keller (listed by campaign)
- Joe Ashton, Former Mayor of River Oaks (listed by campaign)
- Rick Barnes, Tarrant County Tax Assessor (listed by campaign)
- Matt Bryant, Tarrant Appraisal Board (listed by campaign)
- Callie Rigney, Tarrant Appraisal Board (listed by campaign)
- Dale Clark, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- Darrell Huffman, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- Jody Johnson, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- Jon H. Siegel, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- David Woodruff, Tarrant County Constable (listed by campaign)
- Faron Young, White Settlement Mayor (listed by campaign)
- Cindi Castilla, TXEF President (listed by campaign)
- Christian Collins, President, Texas Youth Summit (listed by campaign)
- Coach Joe Kennedy (listed by campaign)
- Jim DeMint, Former US Senator (R-SC) (listed by campaign)
- JoAnn Fleming- GAWTP PAC Executive Directory (listed by campaign)
- Riley Gaines, Save Women’s Sports Athlete (listed by campaign)
- Joe Gamaldi, National VP, Fraternal Order of Police (listed by campaign)
- Rick Green, Patriot Academy (listed by campaign)
- David Manning, Former President of the Fort Worth Police Officer’s Association (listed by campaign)
- Julie McCarty, Founder & CEO, True Texas Project (listed by campaign)
- Chris McNutt, President, Texas Gun Rights (listed by campaign)
- Eric Morris, TAD Board of Directors (listed by campaign)
- Ross Perot Jr. (listed by campaign)
- Jason Rapert, President, National Association of Christian Lawmakers (listed by campaign)
- Kelly Shackelford, President & CEO, First Liberty Institute (listed by campaign)
- Brooke Slusser, Save Women’s Sports Athlete (listed by campaign)
- D’rinda Randall, Texas Republican Party Chairman (listed by campaign)
- Abraham George, Former TXGOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- James Dickey, Former TXGOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Matt Rinaldi, Former TXGOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Lt. Col. Allen West, Dallas County GOP Chair & Former TXGOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Melinda Preston, Denton County GOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Darl Easton, HD92 Area Leader, Former Tarrant County GOP Chair (listed by campaign)
- Chaplain Rich Stoglin, President-Frederick Douglass Republicans of Tarrant County (listed by campaign)
- Dr. Robin Armstrong, TXGOP National Committeeman & Galveston County Commissioner (listed by campaign)
- Debbie Georgatos, TXGOP National Committeewoman & Conservative Talk Show Host (listed by campaign)
- Paul Alvarado, President of Keller Republican Club (listed by campaign)
- David Lambertson, Former TCGOP PC 1227 & HD95 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Paul Hale, SREC 1 (listed by campaign)
- Anne Gephart, SREC 9 (listed by campaign)
- Dan Tully, SREC 9 (listed by campaign)
- Gaylyn DeVine, SREC 11 (listed by campaign)
- Lisa Hendrickson, SREC 12 (listed by campaign)
- David Wylie, SREC 12 (listed by campaign)
- Rolando Garcia, SREC 15 (listed by campaign)
- Matthew Patrick, SREC 16 (listed by campaign)
- Rachel Horton, SREC 30 (listed by campaign)
- Patrick Wamhoff, SREC 30 (listed by campaign)
- Kathy Ponce, Ellis Co. GOP Leg. Comm. Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jennifer Halpenny Precinct 1015 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Ruben Jimenez Jr., Precinct 1094 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Christi Cantu Wilson, Precint 1108 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Melinda Akowski, Precinct 1111 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Marshall Hobbs, Precinct 1120 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Lois Kapp, Precinct 1277 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Terry Munford, Precinct 1146 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Janel Jones, Precinct 1151 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Hollie Plemons, Precinct 1167 Chair & HD90 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Mona Puente, Precinct 1199 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Sherry Moore, Precinct 1337 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Marisa Christensen, Precinct 1714 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Glenn Melvin, Precinct 2052 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mark Hanson, Precinct 2055 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Carol Adams, Precinct 2089 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Justin Galloway, Precinct 2148 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Maureen Smith, Precinct 2181 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Eric Roman, Precinct 2190 Chair (listed by campaign)
- James Hairston, Precinct 2224 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Luli Seri, Precinct 2228 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Kyle O’Neal, Precinct 2246 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Neely Fortinberry, Former Precinct 2303 Chair (listed by campaign)
- David Ellis, Precinct 2636 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Lisa Ventura, Precinct 2745 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Andrea Mills, Precinct 3032 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Laura Oakley, Pct 3035 Chair, Founder & President of Grapevine Republican Club (listed by campaign)
- Mitzi Hammons, Precinct 3043 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Greg Stamps, Precinct 3049 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Stacey Morse, Precinct 3131 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Gina Butler, Precinct 3139 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Daniel Stringham, Precinct 3140 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jason Butz, Precinct 3164 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Marty Jacob, Precinct 3166 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mona Kurtz, Precinct 3172 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Bob Harper, Precinct 3176 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Justin Todd, Precinct 3177 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Brian King, Precinct 3187 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Chris Hulsey, Precinct 3192 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Brian Crowson, Precinct 3209 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Janna Easton, Precinct 3212 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Carla Gonzales, Precinct 3214 Chair & HD91 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Rosalie Escobedo, Precinct 3216 Chair & HD98 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Dan Scherer, Precinct 3240 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Tamma Gunn, Precinct 3247 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Diana Boger, Precinct 3248 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Sheridan King, Precinct Chair 3283 (listed by campaign)
- Rick Roberts, Precinct 3287 Chair (listed by campaign)
- William Finstad, Precinct 3324 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jeffrey Ritter, Precinct 3325 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John B. Lochridge, Precinct 3327 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Teresa Rutherford, Precinct 3331 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mona Bailey, Precinct 3333 Chair (listed by campaign)
- James Ashby, Precinct 3335 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jolyn Potenza, Precinct 3359 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mary Stone, Precinct 3364 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jerah Turner, Precinct 3384 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Eloise Kennedy, Precinct 3387 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Brieger, Precinct 3390 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Vandolyn Roszell, Precinct 3392 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Zariyan Stark, Precinct 3391 Chair & RNC Delegate (listed by campaign)
- Michele Kelk, Precinct 3422 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Curtis Walker, Precinct 3465 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Kenya Alu, Precinct 3486 Chair & HD93 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Lynn Kishaba, Precinct 3500 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Deborah Johnson, Precinct 3502 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Arenz, Precinct 3507 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Chris Sims, Precinct 3510 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mary Childs, Precinct 3527, Chair (listed by campaign)
- Tabitha Thomann, Precinct 3529 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Donna Baker, Precinct 3545 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Rosemary Pradia, Precinct 3552 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Patty Yeager, Precinct 3558 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Steven Bei, Precinct 3579 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Gail Smith, Precinct 3647 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Hinojosa, Precinct 3648 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Eric Addante, Precinct 3695 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Ruth Ray, Precinct 3696 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Paul Merrick, Precinct 3698 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Carolyn Isom, Precinct 3700 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Holcomb, Precinct 3715 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Kathy May, Precinct 3716 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Paul Bowman, Precinct 3720 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Brendan Walsh, Precinct 3725 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Ashley Groff, Precinct 3735 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Sukhijwan White, Precinct 3732 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Larry Carpenter, Precinct 4044 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Caleb Backholm, Precinct 4045 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Katheryn Moore, Precinct 4065 Chair & HD99 Area Leader (listed by campaign)
- Marvin Bahnman, Precinct 4057 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Todd Roper, Precinct 4124 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jonathan Murell, Precinct 4141 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Mark Brezina, Precinct 4144 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Aaron James, Precinct 4204 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Tom Quinones, Precinct 4218 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Carlos Turcios, Precinct 4230 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Joshua Medeiros, Precinct 4232 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Patrick Gerval, Precinct 4242 Chair (listed by campaign)
- William Whitaker, Precinct 4252 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Raymond, Precinct 4259 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Melinda Teitelbaum, Precinct 4243 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Rodney Dewalt, Precinct 4250 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jack Collier, Precinct 4272 Chair (listed by campaign)
- David Hanson Precinct 4338 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Natalie Gonzales, Precinct 4374 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jim Sutton, Precinct 4410 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Matt Forbes, Precinct 4454 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John O’Shea Precinct 4492 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Rosalyn Blanchette, Precinct 4496 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Andra Beatty, Precinct 4508 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Kurt Peterson, Precinct 4531 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Charles Levitt, Precinct 4533 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Shellie Surles, Precinct 4591 Chair (listed by campaign)
- John Peet, Precinct 4649 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Trent Hill, Precinct 4702 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Cooper Morse, Precinct 4713 Chair (listed by campaign)
- WT “Skip” Leake, Precinct 4724 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Jennifer Streater, Precinct 4730 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Gabby Ahlheim, Precinct 4736 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Ann McGlynn, Precinct 4833 Chair (listed by campaign)
- Campaign website
- leighfortexas.com
- On ballot as
- Taylor Rehmet
- Current role
- State Senator, District 9 (since February 2026)
- Background
- U.S. Air Force veteran
- Aerospace machinist
- President, Texas State Council, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
- President of his local of the same union
- Born and raised in Garland
- Experience
- Special election runoff for this seat (Jan. 31, 2026): won with 57.3% of the vote
- Unexpired term of former Sen. Kelly Hancock; sworn in Feb. 19, 2026
- Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): unopposed
- Top priorities
- Schools: "fully funding public schools and repealing the expensive private school voucher scams"
- Property taxes: "capping appraisal spikes, expanding tax exemptions for veterans and seniors"
- Health care: "curb insurance premium hikes, lower prescription drug prices, and rein in exorbitant hospital costs"
- Data centers: "a moratorium on new AI data centers until the Legislature establishes clear, responsible guidelines for their growth"
- Workers: "strengthen workers' rights, expand collective bargaining, and bring good-paying, union jobs back to Texas communities"
- Tidbits
- Abortion: No public statement found
- Border and immigration: Campaign site: "Taylor believes in securing our border, enforcing our immigration laws, and keeping our communities safe, while treating people with dignity and respect"
- Guns: No public statement found
- Public schools and vouchers: Campaign site: "He supports fully funding public schools and repealing the expensive private school voucher scams"
- Property taxes: Campaign site: "Taylor supports capping appraisal spikes, expanding tax exemptions for veterans and seniors" and increasing the state's share of school funding
Claims and the record- Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
- Endorsements
- Texas AFL-CIO
- Texas AFT
- Senator Carol Alvarado (listed by campaign)
- Senator Roland Gutierrez (listed by campaign)
- Senator Nathan Johnson (listed by campaign)
Show all 21
- Senator Wendy Davis (listed by campaign)
- Commissioner Roderick Miles (listed by campaign)
- Chairman Chris Turner (listed by campaign)
- Commissioner Alisa Simmons (listed by campaign)
- Mayor Todd Flippo (listed by campaign)
- Mayor Jim Ross (listed by campaign)
- Councilmember Kyle Hantz (listed by campaign)
- Councilmember Deborah Peoples (listed by campaign)
- Councilmember Chris Nettles (listed by campaign)
- Councilmember Elizabeth Beck (listed by campaign)
- Fmr. County Judge Glen Whitley (listed by campaign)
- Lone Star Project (listed by campaign)
- IAM Union (listed by campaign)
- Lone Star Left (listed by campaign)
- Run For Something (listed by campaign)
- Vote Vets (listed by campaign)
- Campaign website
- taylorfortx.com
Open in the full comparison: Tarrant County
