Patrick Leaves New Texas Senator Off Committees After Upset Win

Overview

• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s latest committee appointments left newly sworn Sen. Taylor Rehmet off every panel, excluding him from the Senate’s main venue for policy work.
• Rehmet called the decision partisan, said it silences Senate District 9, and used the snub to rally supporters and raise money for his November campaign.
• Patrick said Rehmet holds only an interim term and would receive committee posts if he wins in November, with assignments set at the next regular session in January 2027.
• Because Senate committees meet between sessions to study issues and hold hearings, the district loses a seat in those meetings where early legislative ideas take shape.
• Rehmet flipped a Republican-leaning Fort Worth seat in January with 57% of the vote, defeating Leigh Wambsganss, who had backing from Patrick and President Trump, with reporting crediting strong Latino support for the win.