Abortion policy has emerged as a significant dividing issue in the Texas Senate District 9 runoff between Leigh Wambsganss and Taylor Rehmet, which will be decided on Election Day, January 31, 2026.
With weather-related polling disruptions compressing early voting in Tarrant County in recent days, the contest has taken on added urgency as voters weigh starkly different approaches to one of the state’s most contentious issues.
Wambsganss has built her campaign around a long record of pro-life advocacy, while Rehmet has offered limited direct public statements on the issue but previously voiced support for abortion access in a podcast interview and holds endorsements from groups that generally align with abortion rights.
| Category | Leigh Wambsganss | Taylor Rehmet | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Description | Calls herself “incredibly pro-life” and cites a “34-year record” on pro-life issues. | No detailed abortion policy outlined in online campaign materials reviewed. | • https://dallasexpress.com/profiles/a-lifetime-of-activism-why-leigh-wambsganss-is-running-for-texas-senate/ |
| Key Statement | “I want to make sure our abortion pill laws are strong. That will be one of my first priorities.” | “All right. Well, you got me on record now. You know, as a man, I have, you know, really no business telling a woman what she can or cannot do. That’s between her and her doctor. That’s how I feel.” — Grassroots Resistance Collective Podcast, August 2025 | • https://dallasexpress.com/profiles/a-lifetime-of-activism-why-leigh-wambsganss-is-running-for-texas-senate/ |
| Organizational Work | Volunteer/Board/Contributor for Mercy House Ministries; worked with Alliance Defending Freedom on litigation related to abortion pills and FDA oversight. | Did not answer iVoterGuide questionnaire asking: “Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?” | • Leigh Wambsganss iVoterGuide Profile |
| Endorsements | Endorsed by Texas Right to Life PAC as “100% Pro-Life”; endorsed by Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee. | Endorsed by Run for Something, VoteVets PAC, and Texas AFT. | • North Texas: Vote Pro-Life for Leigh Wambsganss!
• Leigh Wambsganss iVoterGuide Profile • Texas AFT COPE Endorses Taylor Rehmet in Special Election for Texas State Senate • VoteVets Investing Six-Figures in Texas Special Election Run-Off for Senate District 9 |
| Political Support | Associated with Patriot Mobile, which donates to causes preserving bans on abortion. | Endorsed by former state senator Wendy Davis, known for her pro-abortion advocacy. | • https://www.taylorfortx.com/ |
In an August 2025 appearance on the Grassroots Resistance Collective Podcast, Rehmet was asked whether he would oppose a further abortion ban or a continuation of the state’s current abortion laws if it came before the Senate. He replied, “Yeah, I would oppose it, yeah.” When pressed, he added, “All right. Well, you got me on record now. You know, as a man, I have, you know, really no business telling a woman what she can or cannot do. That’s between her and her doctor. That’s how I feel.”
Rehmet did not respond to a request for comment from The Dallas Express seeking clarification of his position on abortion before publication.
Wambsganss, chief communications officer of Patriot Mobile and a longtime grassroots activist, has repeatedly framed abortion policy as a top legislative priority. In a prior interview with The Dallas Express, she said strengthening abortion pill laws would be among her first actions if elected.
The runoff follows a November special election in which Rehmet finished first but did not secure a majority, triggering the January contest. The district includes large portions of Tarrant County, including Keller, North Richland Hills, and parts of Fort Worth.
Control of the 31-member chamber remains closely watched in Austin, where abortion restrictions enacted in recent years have made Texas one of the most restrictive states in the nation. Voters in Senate District 9 will now decide which candidate will represent them through the end of 2026.