Republicans are scrambling after a shocking political earthquake in Texas. A district long considered a safe GOP stronghold has flipped to the Democrats, and insiders say the party is in full panic. Former Trump press secretary Sean Spicer is among the most rattled, describing the loss as a clear “wake-up call.”
The upset came when Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Republican-leaning Texas state Senate district that Trump had carried by 17 points in 2024, defeating GOP candidate Leigh Wambsganss by roughly 14 points. The loss stunned Republican leadership, who described the outcome as a “wake-up call” for the party.
Appearing in The Huddle podcast, Spicer was visibly stunned, repeatedly emphasizing that something went “terribly wrong” in the GOP’s strategy. He criticized messaging, voter outreach, and turnout efforts, questioning how a seat considered safe could slip from the party’s grasp.
“It’s a huge wake-up call,” he said. “We have no idea what happened, and we need to fix it yesterday.”
Spicer’s reaction reflects broader anxiety among former Trump aides and GOP loyalists. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, called the outcome a “wake-up call” for the party as it faces potential struggles in the 2026 midterms.
meanwhile, Trump downplayed the loss, claiming to “not know a thing” about the upset, despite having publicly endorsed Wambsganss days earlier. The contrast between Spicer’s alarm and Trump’s nonchalance underscores tension among former aides watching the GOP grapple with unexpected defeats.
Political analysts point to this Texas loss as part of a broader trend. Democrats outperforming expectations in special elections, forcing the GOP to reassess messaging, voter engagement, and internal cohesion. The result has thrown the party into behind-the-scenes finger-pointing, with Spicer acting as one of the most visible example of that panic.
Watch the clip below:
