AUSTIN, Texas — On Tuesday, Texas Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor, hoping to unseat current Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. 

What You Need To Know

  • In a post on X, Goodwin–who was first elected to the Texas House in 2018–said she made this decision after “weeks of discussion” with her family and advisors

  • While she did not mention Patrick by name, Goodwin criticized the state’s “current leadership”

  • Patrick has been in the position since 2015 and has been reelected twice. Back in April, Patrick announced he was running for a fourth term but said, for now, he was focusing on the legislative session, which ends on June 2

In a post on X, Goodwin–who was first elected to the Texas House in 2018–said she made this decision after “weeks of discussion” with her family and advisors. 

“It’s time for a change, Texas. It’s time for a Good Win!” Goodwin wrote. 

While she did not mention Patrick by name, Goodwin criticized the state’s “current leadership,” who she said was “busy tearing down our agencies and institutions, instead of building trust within our communities–both physical and demographic.”

Some of the key issues her campaign highlighted were funding public schools, clean water and power, housing affordability and comprehensive health care.

“This campaign is about putting Texans first–our kids, our health, our homes, and our future,” Goodwin said in a statement. “Unlike the current incumbents, I believe in the power of public service to uplift communities and create real opportunity. As Lieutenant Governor, I’ll work every day with every Texan to make that vision a reality.”

The lieutenant governor has broad power over setting the Texas Legislature’s agenda and deciding what gets passed. 

Patrick has been in the position since 2015 and has been reelected twice. Back in April, Patrick announced he was running for a fourth term, but said, for now, he was focusing on the legislative session, which ends on June 2.