Opinion | How a Conservative Texas District Rejected the Politics of Division

A Democratic candidate, Taylor Rehmet, won a state legislative special election in a historically conservative Fort Worth area, defeating a Trump‑endorsed Republican. Rehmet ran as someone who disliked party labels and made support for public education, including vocational programs, central to his campaign.

The result was described as a reaction against social conservative activists who had pushed to change school boards and who focused on banning books about race, gender fluidity and L.G.B.T.Q. issues, and it was framed as part of a broader weariness with partisan, inflammatory rhetoric.

The columnist recounts a visit to Pittsburg, Kansas, and describes the appeal of “public” institutions — schools, libraries, universities and parks — as a unifying theme, and points to the U.S. military as an example where a single American identity bridges diverse backgrounds.

taylor rehmet, fort worth, texas, trump endorsement, public education, vocational programs, book bans, lgbtq issues, partisan rhetoric, us military