Republican Brett Ligon secured a decisive victory in a closely watched special election for Texas State Senate District 4, reinforcing the GOP’s strong grip on a key Houston-area seat and setting the stage for another high-stakes matchup later this year.
The May 2 special election was called after former state Sen. Brandon Creighton resigned to become chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. The vacancy triggered a short but politically significant race between Ligon, a Republican and former Montgomery County district attorney, and Democrat Ron Angeletti, a first-time candidate and educator.
Ligon won in commanding fashion, capturing roughly 75% of the vote compared to about 25% for Angeletti, according to unofficial results. The margin reflected both the district’s long-standing Republican lean and Ligon’s strong name recognition after nearly two decades as a top prosecutor in Montgomery County.
The district itself spans a large swath of southeast Texas, including parts of Montgomery, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson, and Galveston counties. It is considered deeply conservative territory, with Republicans historically dominating elections there by wide margins. That partisan advantage played a major role in shaping expectations heading into the race, with most analysts viewing Ligon as the clear favorite.
VoteHub projects Brett Ligon to win the Texas State Senate District 4 Special Election. pic.twitter.com/VZhjWr8ZHC
— VoteHub (@VoteHub) May 3, 2026
Ligon’s campaign leaned heavily on traditional Republican priorities, including public safety, border security, and property tax relief. His background as a longtime district attorney helped reinforce his law-and-order message, which resonated with voters in a region where crime and infrastructure concerns often dominate local politics.
He also benefited from strong backing within the Republican establishment. Key endorsements from figures like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick helped consolidate party support and boost turnout among GOP voters. Those endorsements, combined with the district’s partisan makeup, gave Ligon a clear structural advantage throughout the campaign.
Despite the lopsided outcome, the race still drew attention as a political barometer. Democrats had pointed to an earlier upset in a separate Texas Senate special election as a sign of potential momentum heading into the 2026 cycle. However, District 4 proved far more challenging terrain, with Ligon’s double-digit victory underscoring the limits of that momentum in heavily Republican areas.
Voter turnout in the special election was relatively low, with just over 26,000 ballots cast. That’s typical for off-cycle elections but still notable given the broader political attention surrounding Texas in recent years. Early voting accounted for a significant share of participation, particularly in Montgomery and Harris counties.
Importantly, Ligon’s win does not secure him a full term. The special election only allows him to serve out the remainder of Creighton’s term, which runs through early 2027. A rematch between Ligon and Angeletti is already expected in November, when voters will decide who will hold the seat for a full four-year term.
That upcoming election could attract even more attention, particularly if Democrats attempt to invest resources in what has traditionally been a safe Republican district. Still, given the results of the special election and the district’s voting history, Ligon enters the next phase as the clear frontrunner.
