Overview
- Air Force veteran and union leader Taylor Rehmet won SD-09 with 57% of the vote, defeating Republican Leigh Wambsganss by about 14 points.
- Republicans called the result a wake-up call and blamed weak GOP participation, with turnout around 15% on a cold weekend.
- The GOP’s spending edge — including roughly $736,000 by Wambsganss to about $70,000 for Rehmet and broader Republican outlays of about $2 million — failed to prevent the loss.
- Analysts point to gains among independents, some moderate Republicans, and Latino voters, while noting special-election electorates limit direct predictions for November.
- Trump urged votes for Wambsganss in late posts, then distanced himself after the defeat; Rehmet will serve the remainder of the term and is set for a November 2026 rematch.