Austin Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin launches bid for lieutenant governor
The four-term representative on Tuesday announced her bid to unseat three-term Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has also launched his campaign for re-election in 2026.
Goodwin has criticized Republican leadership in the state and has vowed "to fight for the things Texans care about most: strong public schools, access to abundant and clean water & power, housing affordability, and comprehensive health care for every Texan," according to a news release announcing her candidacy.
'As a lifelong Texan, a mom, a business owner, and a public servant, I've seen firsthand the challenges families across our state face,' Goodwin said in her statement. 'And sadly, our current leadership is busy tearing down our agencies and institutions, instead of building trust within our communities — both physical and demographic. I'm running for Lieutenant Governor because I believe in building a Texas that works for all of us — not just the well-connected few.'
Goodwin, a 58-year-old real estate broker, comes into the race with a massive strategic and fiscal disadvantage. Patrick's coffers hold more than $33 million, while Goodwin has about $150,000, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Texas Democrats last won a statewide office in 1994, and Patrick beat his Democratic opponent by more than 10 percentage points in 2022.
On the heels of Goodwin's announcement, her chief of staff and the Travis County Democratic Party chair, Pooja Sethi, announced she would run for the incumbent's seat in the state House.
"Rep. Goodwin has been a tireless advocate for our district, & I'm ready to build on that work with the same grit, presence, & relentless drive to deliver for our community," Sethi wrote in a social media post Tuesday morning.
Staff writer Bayliss Wagner contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Rep. Vikki Goodwin launches campaign for Texas lieutenant governor
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