A low-stakes election for a vacant state Senate seat in Tarrant County, Texas, has morphed into one of the most expensive and high-profile special elections in Texas politics. Voters of Senate District 9 must choose between Leigh Wambsganss, John Huffman, and Taylor Rehmet next Tuesday, a race that could shape the future of casino gambling in Texas for years to come.

Gambling Remains at the Core of the Dispute

The election, following the resignation of Sen. Kelly Hancock, has attracted international attention as it pits two well-funded Republican candidates against each other. While their proposed policies share some similarities, they differ on one crucial matter: whether Texans should be allowed to vote on the legalization of casinos.

Leigh Wambsganss, a right-wing activist supported by the Deputy Governor of Texas and West Texas oil tycoon Tim Dunn, has centered her campaign around opposition to expanding gambling. She claims that the casino industry, especially the Las Vegas Sands group, is abusing its immense wealth to sway public opinion.

Those gambling entities have billions and billions of dollars, and they can really do an incredible misinformation campaign.

Her opponent, John Huffman, who previously served as the mayor of Southlake, is the preferred candidate of Sands’ political network. The family of Miriam Adelson, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, has donated more than $1.2 million to Huffman’s campaign. Political action committees connected to Sands have invested another $2 million in advertising on his behalf.

A Huffman Win Would Demonstrate Las Vegas Sands’ Influence

Wambsganss’ campaign has criticized Huffman by calling him a “wholly owned subsidiary of Sands,” alleging that his support for legalized gambling would open the floodgates to corporate influence. Huffman’s team insists that the race remains focused on local priorities, not gambling. Despite these claims, few doubt what’s really at stake as Texas Sands has spent years lobbying for luxury casino resorts in the state.

I believe that Texans can decide for themselves whether or not they want these large destination resorts inside the state.

Standing in the way of casino expansion is Lt. Gov. Patrick, who has vowed to block any vote on gambling expansion that does not have the support of a majority of Republican senators. His support of Wambsganss, along with a $250,000 donation via a third-party PAC, highlights how critical the District 9 seat could become in that equation.

Democrat Taylor Rehmet, a labor organizer, remains a long-shot contender in the race. Early voting has already ended, and Election Day turnout will be decisive. Even if Huffman emerges as the winner, the pro-casino faction still wouldn’t have enough votes to bring a constitutional amendment to the floor. However, a Huffman victory would signal that Sands’ financial muscle can shift Republican primaries, challenging the current status quo.