Tarrant County Executive Committee member and longtime conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss has launched her campaign for Texas Senate District 9, reshaping the race and immediately drawing high-profile endorsements.

“I am announcing my campaign for Texas Senate, District 9, because this district deserves a proven conservative fighter,” Wambsganss said in a statement. “I have spent decades on the front lines of the conservative movement — leading one of the most impactful campaigns against Critical Race Theory in the country, working alongside Republican leaders during the Republican Revolution of the 1990s, and consistently standing firm for pro-life and pro-Second Amendment values.”

Wambsganss’s entry into the race follows State Rep. Nate Schatzline’s announcement that he will no longer seek the Senate seat and will instead run for re-election to House District 93.

“I am officially announcing my re-election campaign for Texas House District 93! My #1 goal was for SD9 to be represented by a true conservative, & with Leigh Wambsganss, that’s exactly what you’ll get. She has my full support,” Schatzline wrote on X. “Can’t wait to fight for Faith, Family, & Freedom alongside you in Austin!”

Wambsganss responded on X with gratitude.

“I appreciate@NateSchatzline‘s kind words of support. He is a good man and a good friend. I fully support Nate’s re-election campaign for Texas House District 93! I look forward to working with him in the Texas legislature for faith, family and freedom!” Wambsganss wrote on X. 

Her campaign has already drawn praise from Texas conservatives.

“She has been a leader of the conservative movement in Tarrant County and all of Texas. She will be a great addition to our conservative Texas Senate,” said Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who announced his endorsement on X.

Tarrant County GOP Precinct Chair like Melinda Akowski also reacted the news.

“You’re amazing!!! Disappointed I don’t get to vote for you in SD9 but thankful HD93 will continue to be represented with bold conservative leadership!! Thankful SD9 will still have an opportunity to elect a conservative fighter,” Akowski wrote.

According to her campaign, Wambsganss has played a key role in advancing conservative policies in Texas, including power grid reforms through her work with Texas Eagle Forum. She also serves on the board of Mercy House Ministries and the North Fort Worth CRC Center, which serves nearly 20,000 residents each month.

She holds degrees from Dallas Baptist University and the University of Central Oklahoma, and lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with her husband and two sons.

A formal campaign launch event is expected in the coming weeks.