The Downballot
Polls have just closed in Texas, which is hosting two special elections (yes, on a Saturday!): • The all-Dem runoff for #TX18, which has been vacant almost a year • The D vs. R runoff in #SD09, which the GOP is worried about losing even though Trump carried it 58-41 Our Big Board -->

The Downballot's special elect...
The Downballot's special elections Big Board for the 2025-26 cycle

Google Docs
Feb 1 at 1:01amWeb
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
Results for both here (gift link courtesy a kind member of The Downballot's Discord community!)

Texas Special Runoff Election ...
Texas 18th District Special Runoff Election Results: Menefee vs Edwards

Get live results and maps from the Jan. 31, 2026 Texas special runoff elections.

The New York Times
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
We already have the early vote, which shows Democrat Taylor Rehmet leading Leigh Wambsganss (no, it's not just a name from Succession!) 56-44. Unusually, during the first round, Dems did *better* with the E-day vote than the early vote. If that pattern holds...
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
We *finally* have started getting e-day results. Just a trickle so far though.
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
This first batch of about 2,700 e-day votes went 60-40 D, meaning they were *bluer* than the early vote, which was 56-44 D. If this holds, it's lights out for the GOP.
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
One note: Total turnout in the first round on Nov. 5 was about 119K—though that may or may not be a benchmark for tonight. Also, Texas Senate districts are *enormous*. In fact, with just 31 total seats, they are larger than congressional districts (of which Texas has 38).
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
Another batch of around 5,800 votes just dropped at the top of the hour. Still very favorable for Dem Taylor Rehmet—the batch was 58-42 D.
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
Unsurprisingly, the AP declared Christian Menefee the winner of the all-Dem #TX18 special election. He'll *finally* replace Sylvester Turner, who died almost 11 months ago. Menefee will also have to face longtime Rep. Al Green in the Dem primary on March 3, thanks to the new GOP gerrymander.
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
One note: Tarrant County (where the #SD09 special is taking place) uses *vote centers* rather than traditional precincts. With this system, voters can cast ballots at *any* vote center anywhere in the county, not just their local polling place.
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
Conservative reporter over on Twitter says that Wambsganss has thrown in the towel: “We’ll be back in November.” (She'll be on the ballot again for a full term this fall, as will Dem Taylor Rehmet.) x.com/CurrentRevol...
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Always be mindful of folks purporting to "report" election results without any links—and be especially wary of accounts using the passive voice ("the race has been projected") without citing any sources.
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
Biiig vote dump just now, and Dem Taylor Rehmet's lead *increased* to 57-43, per the county website results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Tarrant/1...
Show threadThe DownballotFeb 1
Total of about 95K votes. In the first round on Nov. 5, there were about 119K total votes. So we're probably quite close to done here, since turnout probably dropped (though maybe not). Still, this is a gigantic lead for Democrats—in a Trump+17 district.