Republicans strip power from Dem who shocked with red state upset

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Raw Story

March 23, 2026 7:47PM ET


Texas Republicans have moved to ensure that a Democratic lawmaker elected in a shock special election upset earlier this year will effectively have no power — at least for the time being.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "On Monday afternoon, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced which senators would fill committee vacancies, following recent membership shakeups ... Newly sworn in Sen. Taylor Rehmet wasn’t among the senators named on the lieutenant governor’s latest list of committee appointees."

The Texas legislature is not currently in session and will not actually convene to pass bills until after the next election, at which point Rehmet would have to be re-elected in a tough fight anyway. However, the report noted, lawmakers "typically hold hearings in the interim to study policy topics in preparation for when they next convene," a process Rehmet will not be able to participate in.

Rehmet, a veteran and union organizer, responded to the news with furious accusations that the GOP are trying to silence his district and his voters. "After months of SD9 having no voice, the Lt. Gov just refused to assign me to any legislative committee. This type of partisan maneuvering stands in the way of delivering results for ALL Texans," wrote Rehmet on X, posting a petition to demand he be given assignments.

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/taylor-rehmet-2676581221/

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Link to Fort Worth Star-Telegram REPORT - ‘Petty, partisan politics.’ Tarrant Dem rips Patrick over committee seat snub

[Irish_Dem]

1. The PutinGOP is not interested in democracy.

[GiqueCee]

11. You got THAT right...

... but then, Republicans have ALWAYS hated democracy, and never passed up a chance to run roughshod over the Constitutional rights of anyone with the temerity to disagree with them.
Who can forget the failed attempt of Republicans to overthrow FDR back in '33 with "The Business Plot", when they tried to recruit retired Marine Major General, Smedley Butler, to organize the wetwork for them? He listened to their proposal, then dropped a dime on 'em, and condemned them all in a HUAC committee, then called the McCormack-Dickstein Committee. Of course, nothing happened; the good old boy network circled the wagons and they got away scot free. Dubya's grandpappy, Prescott Bush, was reputed to be one of those fascist assholes. He went on to get into a bit of a bind during WWII for laundering money for the Nazis. He got bailed out then, too.

Moral of the story: Believing that there's any such thing as an honest Republican is just as delusional as believing in unicorns.

[Cheezoholic]

2. I don't care what anyone says, the fascist corrupt TX GOP is cracking like the ones in your basement you dont see

until it's too late. The flagrant open corruption is getting too much to be ignored and they are pushing for more. The voters will push back at some point and with a vengeance, IMHO.

[LymphocyteLover]

9. let's hope enough people there in TX finally see it and vote accordingly-- and are able to vote

[LuvLoogie]

13. The GOPs since Reagan have been spewing the same message everywhere.

It doesn't work everywhere, but where it does work matters. The majority of Texans aren't going to wake up. This is what they've worked for.

Abbot, Paxton, Patrick, and a slew of similar or worse legislators elected over the last 10 cycles. They will resort to outright ethnic cleansing before they "wake up."

[Lovie777]

3. Back to court.............

I guess the people's vote don't count and is meaningless unless it favors Republicans.

[cstanleytech]

8. I'm not sure that will work though unless there's a constitutional requirement that he be assigned to something.

[Javaman]

4. that's why I keep saying, "texas: the only fascist state in the union". texas tells everyone, "hold my beer".

I live in Austin.

While a blue wave is coming for much of the nation, I'm not holding my breath for texas. I've lived here since the Anne Richards days and the things I've seen.

between gerrymandering, voter suppression and the good old boys network, I expect more of the same after the midterms from these crooked fucks.

[Historic NY]

5. Now there is a novel approach...

Democrats

[mwmisses4289]

6. And now you know why many of us who live here call it texass.

[bluestarone]

17. Well, all i can say is TY to all the DEmocrats in Texas for

Putting up with the total BULLSHIT you deal with. My hat off to ALL of you!!

[GiqueCee]

7. Whoa, Dan!

You and the rest of Satan's demons branded with (R)s, have already made sure that Texas has a lock on the treasured title of Anus of the Universe. Why do you feel the need to commit even more acts of petty, juvenile malice like denying a duly elected Democrat ANY committee appointments? Gee whizz, people might start to think that you're an even bigger asshole than Abbott and Paxton put together! OOPS! My bad. As impossible as it may seem, you've already got a lock on that, too.

[LymphocyteLover]

10. Republicans are fascist thugs, part 697,998,011,235,491

[wolfie001]

12. Full-on Nazis at this point

white christo-fascists running rampant. They know they're criminals. No one can hold them to account. The 6 POS on the SC have allowed this. I guess they think jesus is gonna come down and thank them for their "bravery". That's what those slugs Coney-Barrett and Kavanaugh label their judicial malfeasance. Bizarre times.

[angrychair]

14. Republicans are scum

This is a great example of just how unhinged they are and is an example of just how they will just shut Democrats out of government no matter the will of the people.

They control the House and Senate and WH. They will just refuse to seat anyone after the election. Apparently it isn't any harder than that.

[AllyCat]

15. Scott Walker and the horrid WI republicans have

Really shown everyone how to do it, haven’t they?

[Zambero]

16. And there are consequences as well

Walker crashed and burned as a POTUS candidate and was shown the door by Wisconsin voters. Perhaps come fall we might see some realignment in Texas as well?