House GOP majority on the brink as all-Democrat Texas special congressional election underway[update

[mystery-ak]

House GOP majority on the brink as all-Democrat Texas special congressional election underway
Texas special congressional election this weekend between 2 Democrats will further reduce GOP's fragile control of House
Paul Steinhauser By Paul Steinhauser Fox News
Published January 31, 2026 6:00am EST

Republicans are clinging to a razor-thin 218-213 House majority.

And the GOP's margin will shrink even further after a special congressional election this weekend to fill the seat in a Democrat-dominated district which has been vacant for nearly a year.

That's because the two candidates in Saturday's runoff election in Texas' 18th Congressional District are both Democrats.

Voters in the district, which is anchored by downtown Houston and surrounding areas, head to the polls to choose a successor to fill the seat left vacant when Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner died last March.

Sylvester, a former longtime state lawmaker, served two terms as Houston mayor before winning election to Congress in 2024, succeeding the late longtime Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

more
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-gop-majority-brink-all-democrat-texas-special-congressional-election-underway

[libertybele]

Joy! 

[Free Vulcan]

Unnecessary drama here. Pubs are not going to win the election, it will be Rat for Rat replacement, nothing will change.

[Wingnut]

Unnecessary drama here. Pubs are not going to win the election, it will be Rat for Rat replacement, nothing will change.

Agreed. 

[Hoodat]

The only reason that the GOP majority is on the brink is because Republicans keep voting Democrat-lite.  If Republicans ever decide to become a fiscally Conservative party, their majority would no longer be at risk.  People would rather vote FOR something than AGAINST something.  Republicans never offer anything to vote FOR - only that we should vote AGAINST Democrats.

[mystery-ak]

 Democrats flip Texas state Senate seat in shock upset
by Julia Mueller - 02/01/26 12:04 AM ET

Democrats scored a stunning upset on Saturday in a special election runoff for Texas Senate, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ, giving the party a major boost ahead of the November midterms.

Fort Worth Democrat Taylor Rehmet, a machinist and Air Force veteran, defeated Southlake Republican Leigh Wambsganss to fill the vacant state Senate District 9.

The district favored President Trump — who endorsed Wambsganss earlier on Saturday — by 17 points in 2024. The race went to a runoff after none of the candidates were able to clinch a majority in the November election.

Rehmet’s overperformance in the fall stoked concerns for the GOP, and a number of prominent party leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott (R), intervened in the race in an effort to boost Wambsganss.

“When a grassroots union organizer like Taylor Rehmet overperforms by almost 20 points and forces a runoff, it couldn’t be any clearer that voters are tired of Republican bullshit,” Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder said in a statement after the November race.

Rehmet’s victory is sure to fuel Democratic optimism heading into the midterms, where the party is hoping to flip the House and potentially even the Senate amid growing anxiety over the economy and anger over Trump’s immigration policies.

The seat opened up after Republican state Sen. Kelly Hancock was tapped as acting state comptroller.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5716988-democrats-score-upset-texas/

[catfish1957]

I knew the process of nominating Barbies, instead of fire in the gut conservatives would finally backfire. 

Complacency is rapidly becoming our biggest enemy. 

[libertybele]

Democrats flip Texas state Senate seat in shock upset
by Julia Mueller - 02/01/26 12:04 AM ET

Democrats scored a stunning upset on Saturday in a special election runoff for Texas Senate, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ, giving the party a major boost ahead of the November midterms.

Fort Worth Democrat Taylor Rehmet, a machinist and Air Force veteran, defeated Southlake Republican Leigh Wambsganss to fill the vacant state Senate District 9.

The district favored President Trump — who endorsed Wambsganss earlier on Saturday — by 17 points in 2024. The race went to a runoff after none of the candidates were able to clinch a majority in the November election.

Rehmet’s overperformance in the fall stoked concerns for the GOP, and a number of prominent party leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott (R), intervened in the race in an effort to boost Wambsganss.

“When a grassroots union organizer like Taylor Rehmet overperforms by almost 20 points and forces a runoff, it couldn’t be any clearer that voters are tired of Republican bullshit,” Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder said in a statement after the November race.

Rehmet’s victory is sure to fuel Democratic optimism heading into the midterms, where the party is hoping to flip the House and potentially even the Senate amid growing anxiety over the economy and anger over Trump’s immigration policies.

The seat opened up after Republican state Sen. Kelly Hancock was tapped as acting state comptroller.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5716988-democrats-score-upset-texas/

Yikes.  This is deeply concerning....a seat in TX turns blue.   

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/JasmineForUS/status/2017833956947751412

[mystery-ak]

This does not look good for the midterms..

Why did Trump wait until Sat morning to endorse the Repub candidate...?

[Wingnut]

https://twitter.com/JasmineForUS/status/2017833956947751412

A new Ghetto Barbie to replace the old ghetto Barbie Jazzy Crockett.

[andy58-in-nh]

Yikes.  This is deeply concerning....a seat in TX turns blue.   

The seat was Blue before. The seat was left vacant when Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner died last March, so it didn't "flip".

[Idiot]

This does not look good for the midterms..

Why did Trump wait until Sat morning to endorse the Repub candidate...?

The midterms will be bloody.  The dems will likely take the house and senate and our slide into a socialist state will resume.  Get ready for impeachments and drama, drama, drama....

Our country is a whole lot more liberal than people here realize.  Trump was just a bump in the road in our slide to progressivism. 

[Wingnut]

The seat was Blue before. The seat was left vacant when Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner died last March, so it didn't "flip".

Yeah but, Trump won the district by a gazillion points.  so say the talking greaseballs at CNN and MS 13Now

[LMAO]

The seat was Blue before. The seat was left vacant when Democratic Rep. Sylvester Turner died last March, so it didn't "flip".

Wrong!! 100% wrong!!! Dead Wrong!!!

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/rehmet-texas-democrats-republicans-trump-midterms-b2911700.html

A district that Trump won by 17 points and was reliably GOP flipped to the Democrat by 14 points. This continues a trend from last year with Democrats either outperforming vote totals from 2024 or flipping GOP held seats

Denials and excuses may feel good. But Democrats are kicking ass. And it’s 100% because of Donald Trump!! His endorsement is a kiss of death

The country isn’t moving leftward. It’s independent, republican, and enough democrat voters tired of Trump entertaining his supporters. There isn’t a large untapped reservoir of Trump voters bursting at the seams just waiting to flood the midterms



Bravo MAGA!!! You’ve earned this!!!   

[Wingnut]

Wrong!! 100% wrong!!! Dead Wrong!!!

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/rehmet-texas-democrats-republicans-trump-midterms-b2911700.html

A district that Trump won by 17 points and was reliably GOP flipped to the Democrat by 14 points. This continues a trend from last year with Democrats either outperforming vote totals from 2024 or flipping GOP held seats

Denials and excuses may feel good. But Democrats are kicking ass. And it’s 100% because of Donald Trump!! His endorsement is a kiss of death

The country isn’t moving leftward. It’s independent, republican, and enough democrat voters tired of Trump entertaining his supporters. There isn’t a large untapped reservoir of Trump voters bursting at the seams just waiting to flood the midterms



Bravo MAGA!!! You’ve earned this!!!   

see what I mean @andy58-in-nh  Not only cnn and MS-13Now... but we have another retard show up with the liberal talking points.

[catfish1957]

see what I mean @andy58-in-nh  Not only cnn and MS-13Now... but we have another retard show up with the liberal talking points.

Another Lincoln Project retread, who I hope does not have the same sexual proclivities

[LMAO]

Another Lincoln Project retread, who I hope does not have the same sexual proclivities

How about that crow I was supposed to be eating when it comes to inflation and the economy

I’m still hungry

[LMAO]

Here’s a challenge

I’ll let the two clowns that responded after me to give me an example Starting from January 2025 to now of where a republican has flipped a Democrat held seat

Take your time. And try to do it without making the issue about me.

One seat. Name it, provide a link, and I’ll acknowledge it.

I had to put one member on ignore because I kept asking him this question over and over again and all I got was unhinged replies


A reliably republican district that Trump carried by 17 points was lost to a democrat who carried it by 14. That’s not even close.

A Miami mayoral seat that was held by the GOP since Clinton flipped to Democrats by 18 points

Don’t blame me. I voted for DeSantis.

[catfish1957]

How about that crow I was supposed to be eating when it comes to inflation and the economy

I’m still hungry

FU liberal.  GDP growth is projected to be in record territory in the next few years, and '25 inflation was a 2.7%. Take your silly lies and distortions elsewhere.

If you toid the truth once you'd choking on the black bird.  ....  otherwise GFY, you've been outted.

The Mods took care of your ass a few months ago....   Try for a repeat

[LMAO]

FU liberal.  GDP growth is projected to be in record territory in the next few years, and '25 inflation was a 2.7%. Take your silly lies and distortions elsewhere.

If you toid the truth once you'd choking on the black bird.  ....  otherwise GFY, you've been outted.

Boy, you have trouble admitting defeat. I mean who are voters believing? Your government numbers or their own experiences?

Liberal…Lol

Nothing wrong with asking a question

See if you can answer my original question, sport. It’s a very simple question and try to do it without making either the issue about your personal feelings or threatening to run to the moderators.

[mystery-ak]

Democrat Temporarily Flips Deep‑Red Texas Senate District Trump Won in Low‑Turnout Special Election

A Democrat scored a rare win in one of Texas’s reddest legislative seats on Saturday, capturing a state Senate district that Donald Trump carried by double digits as Republicans struggled to turn out voters in a low‑participation special election. The Democrat victory could be short‑lived, with the seat back on the ballot in November’s general election.

more
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2026/02/01/democrat-temporarily-flips-deep%e2%80%91red-texas-senate-district-trump-won-in-low%e2%80%91turnout-special-election/

[LMAO]

Many of these elections that resulted in flips from red to blue were reliable or fairly reliable GOP districts until 2025

And the flips haven’t been close. And I doubt that there’s enough left wing  voters in these districts that are determining the outcome, especially by the margins

I know it’s more fun to make me the issue and live in the world of denial. But if this trend continues, the Republicans are looking at a bloodbath in the House

For sure Democrats are very motivated to get out and vote. But there’s not enough of them to make such a big difference.

[catfish1957]

Boy, you have trouble admitting defeat. I mean who are voters believing. Your government numbers or their own experiences?

Liberal…Lol

Nothing wrong with asking a question

See if you can answer my original question, sport

Because you are the one that lost.  In fact unless your net worth ISN"T at an all time high, you really ought to STFU. GDP will be sharply up, Inflation easily in 2-4% in the next  two years.  And that isn't just likes of Payne & Kudlow @Fox Business News saying that , check with Santelli, and a few others at CNBC.

And btw, I am not MAGA....  I supported and voted for DeSantis in the primaries,. OTOH...  I am just practical and flexible enough in my understanding of financial acumen to understand trends and directions.  And they are good.  Just because you support Bidenomics, I can't help that≥

And the political question?  No disagreement,.  How about that?  I am not happy with the mid term political strategy either. But I am just one voice.

[Free Vulcan]

As far as I can tell there was around 10% voter turnout in this race, which indicates again that the Rats used the small numbers to manipulate the outcome.

Other people want to see something else to fit the Trump bashing narrative, but try as they may the numbers don't fit.

[LMAO]

Because you are the one that lost.  In fact unless your net worth ISN"T at an all time high, you really ought to STFU. GDP will be sharply up, Inflation easily in 2-4% in the next  two years.  And that isn't just likes of Payne & Kudlow @Fox Business News saying that , check with Santelli, and a few others at CNBC.

And btw, I am not MAGA....  I supported and voted for DeSantis in the primaries,. OTOH...  I am just practical and flexible enough in my understanding of financial acumen to understand trends and directions.  And they are good.  Just because you support Bidenomics, I can't help that≥

And the political question?  No disagreement,.  How about that?  I am not happy with the mid term political strategy either. But I am just one voice.

You sound just like the Biden administration. Quoting rosy  government numbers while voters see and experience otherwise… Good luck.

Who are voters going to believe?  Payne and Kudlow or their own bills

[catfish1957]

As far as I can tell there was around 10% voter turnout in this race, which indicates again that the Rats used the small numbers to manipulate the outcome.

Other people want to see something else to fit the Trump bashing narrative, but try as they may the numbers don't fit.

I agree.  My biggest gripe is that in too many cases, Trump's strategist seem to value style of substance.  Voters, at least on our side are smarter than that.,

[catfish1957]

You sound just like the Biden administration. Quoting  government numbers while voters see and experience otherwise… Good luck.

Who are voters going to believe?  Payne and Kudlow or their own bills

Net worth not at record levels?  Again....   STFU otherwise.  You lost.

There are laws within the BLS to adjust the stats, that the Biden's used profusely.  You can not falsify these by law.

These aren't changing in this administration.  So you are accusing them of fraud?

[LMAO]

Well, as fun as this has been, I have a real world to interact with

The level of denial here is still off the charts

Denial is very comforting, so I understand why people use it as an ego defense

But it ain’t looking so good for the GOP under Trump

Good God!! The Democrats could win the House, Senate, the presidency, every governorship and state house and the excuses and denial would still be here

[LMAO]

Net worth not at record levels?  Again....   STFU otherwise.  You lost.

There are laws within the BLS to adjust the stats, that the Biden's used profusely.  You can not falsify these by law.

These aren't changing in this administration.  So you are accusing them of fraud?

Sigh

More excuses and denials


I guess that’ll never change… Bye-bye

[Free Vulcan]

All I can say is ignore anyone trying to Trump bash with a bunch of speculation based on ~10% turnout.

[catfish1957]

Sigh

More excuses and denials


I guess that’ll never change… Bye-bye

2025 stats
--------------

GDP Growth- +4.4%
Consumer Sales- +3.0%
Inflation- +2.4%
S&P Return- 17.9%. (All markets at record highs)

 

[andy58-in-nh]

All I can say is ignore anyone trying to Trump bash with a bunch of speculation based on ~10% turnout.

It seems this thread became confused because the seat in question was a Texas state senate seat, not a congressional seat.

The turnout was ridiculously low, which allowed the always better-organized Left to win.

The same seat will be up again in November, so we'll see how that goes, with far better turnout likely. 

[Free Vulcan]

It seems this thread became confused because the seat in question was a Texas state house seat, not a congressional seat.

The turnout was ridiculously low, which allowed the always better-organized Left to win.

The same seat will be up again in November, so we'll see how that goes, with far better turnout likely.

There's some around here that would try to conflate a Pub losing to a Rat in a special election dog catcher race with 2% turnout as a failure of Trump's leadership.

I had to go out and buy a scuba suit just to swim in the BS.

[Smokin Joe]

The only reason that the GOP majority is on the brink is because Republicans keep voting Democrat-lite.  If Republicans ever decide to become a fiscally Conservative party, their majority would no longer be at risk.  People would rather vote FOR something than AGAINST something.  Republicans never offer anything to vote FOR - only that we should vote AGAINST Democrats.

THIS!

[andy58-in-nh]

There's some around here that would try to conflate a Pub losing to a Rat in a special election dog catcher race with 2% turnout as a failure of Trump's leadership.

I had to go out and buy a scuba suit just to swim in the BS.

@Free Vulcan

I know. But to be a bit fair to those on our side who are not fans of Trump, he does sometimes lose focus, talk too much and exaggerate wildly, which turns some people off - and by "some people" I mean those who would normally be inclined to support a conservative President. As @Hoodat wisely says, "Republicans never offer anything to vote FOR..."  and Trump would do well to vocally move them in that direction.

I am not referring to the "Never Trumpers", who tend to be old-school Republicans that now align more with the Democrats on things like open borders for immigrants, "free" trade and foreign policy.

One suspects that many of them would have become Democrats by now, if it weren't for the virtual takeover of that party by Marxists and identity politics warriors. As it is, a good number of the Kinder, Gentler GOP set voted for Kamala Harris - like George Will - who cannot write a (non-baseball related) column now without finding a way to bash Trump and plead for a return to the Old Ways... wherein the go-along-to-get-along GOP lost every battle because they were unwilling to actually fight. But at least they were politically... civil. As though politics weren't a blood sport for people in suits and ties.   

[Free Vulcan]

@Free Vulcan

I know. But to be a bit fair to those on our side who are not fans of Trump, he does sometimes lose focus, talk too much and exaggerate wildly, which turns some people off - and by "some people" I mean those who would normally be inclined to support a conservative President. As @Hoodat wisely says, "Republicans never offer anything to vote FOR..."  and Trump would do well to vocally move them in that direction.

I am not referring to the "Never Trumpers", who tend to be old-school Republicans that now align more with the Democrats on things like open borders for immigrants, "free" trade and foreign policy.

One suspects that many of them would have become Democrats by now, if it weren't for the virtual takeover of that party by Marxists and identity politics warriors. As it is, a good number of the Kinder, Gentler GOP set voted for Kamala Harris - like George Will - who cannot write a (non-baseball related) column now without finding a way to bash Trump and plead for a return to the Old Ways... wherein the go-along-to-get-along GOP lost every battle because they were unwilling to actually fight. But at least they were politically... civil. As though politics weren't a blood sport for people in suits and ties.

Reagan and even Coolidge weren't perfect and did things we can disagree with. It's those that grasp and reach to trash Trump with smokescreesns, cherry picking and whitewashing that I won't give quarter to.